States of Play cover art

States of Play

How Sportswashing Took Over Football

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States of Play

By: Miguel Delaney
Narrated by: Miguel Delaney, Patrick Moy
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About this listen

 THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER & WINNER OF THE FOOTBALL BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD

A TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR
A TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR
AN IRISH TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR
AN IRISH INDEPENDENT BOOK OF THE YEAR

'Important, perfectly timed and hugely necessary.' The Guardian
'Magnificent. Some of the details are eye-popping.' Irish Independent
'Football needs this book. A monumental piece of investigative journalism.' Irish Times
'A must-read on how modern football works.' Ian Wright
'Brave, forensic and utterly gripping.' Tom Holland

______________________________

The definitive account of how capitalism and the world's elite corrupted modern football

As the 2022 World Cup in Qatar drew to a close, there was a bitter undercurrent to Argentina's triumph. Throughout the tournament, numerous allegations of sportswashing and financial misconduct had been made against the state of Qatar, moving what had previously been a smaller conversation into the worldwide spotlight.

The question had been asked, who really owns and runs football?

Journeying from Abu Dhabi to Newcastle, and onto London, Paris, Moscow and New York, journalist Miguel Delaney investigates the allegations of sportswashing and misconduct in the beautiful game. The result is a gripping account of how football has been taken over by the world's wealthiest businessmen, state-backed corporations, media tycoons and oil-rich oligarchs.

From Neymar's £198 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain and Abu Dhabi's construction empire in Manchester to failed Financial Fair Play constraints and the dawn of the European Super League, Miguel draws on exclusive interviews and unprecedented access to key stakeholders to produce an all-encompassing exposé of modern footballs highest echelons.

Authoritative, riveting and eye-opening, States of Play reveals how football has become a tool for the world's elite.

______________________________

'The moral compass that the game needs.' Andy Brassell

'In this excellent investigation, Delaney reveals the ugly side of the beautiful game.' Oliver Bullough

'The most important football book of its generation.' Jack Pitt-Brooke

'This book tackles the major issue affecting football today with fearlessness and forensic scrutiny. An important investigation for our times.' Laurie Whitwell

'A majestic book. The essential guide to how the people's game has become the plaything of the very rich and powerful.' Jonathan Wilson

Miguel Delaney's STATES OF PLAY was ranked in the Irish Times bestsellers list weeks of 11th & 18th November 2024.©2024 Miguel Delaney (P)2024 Orion Publishing Group Limited Corporate & Public Finance Corruption & Misconduct Football (Soccer) Politics & Government Sports History Football Inspiring France

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All stars
Most relevant  
great narrator, factual information a great insight into the football business and corruption in the modern era

A brilliant analysis of how football has lost its soul to money and politicking

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Miguel Delaney did an incredible job weaving together the worlds of football, geopolitics, and power dynamics in a way that's both insightful and captivating.

I originally bought the book after hearing Miguel on the Arsecast pod with Andrew, but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it all came together. As someone who loves geopolitics, the nuances of hard and soft power, and of course, football, I found the book to be a masterclass in linking these themes seamlessly.

Highly recommended for anyone who’s a fan of football and enjoys exploring the bigger picture of how the sport intersects with global politics and influence. Fantastic work, Miguel!

A Brilliant Intersection of Football, Geopolitics, and Power.

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A fantastic insight into football and it's perils. Very well written and researched. A history lesson on the politics of the Middle East and Europe, as well as a deep dive into football finances and it's future.

Eye opening

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A bible of the timelines, protagonists and momentous events in football since the formation of the Premier League onwards. This book manages to grab a lot of the detail and weave it into a coherent story. It lays down the actual facts of many stories which even an avid football reader might think they know, while explaining why the more popular narrative held, and why misconceptions about certain events prevailed.

Brilliant, detailed, and gripping

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Excellent book. Building on the work of Andrew Jennings, the book goes into detail on just how much of our gaming is being stolen by those with money. Anyone with an interest in football must read this.

The passion of the writer

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Fantastic book and one that all football fans should read or listen to.
It’s ridiculous how the game at the top level has been utterly abused over the last few decades, with the arrival of Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Saudi Arabia taking things to the extreme. Our game has been completely hijacked by states. The future of the game at the top level has never looked so bleak.

Essential but a little depressing!

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A brilliant insight into how football has been stolen from the fans and has left me entirely disillusioned with the direction of the beautiful game.

The honesty of the author.

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I knew football was corrupt but it's so, so much worse. Very well written and very well read.

Football...sold it's soul to the oil and fas states

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Loved the audio book. Miguel knows his football, history geopolitics and sports-washing. Highly recommend.

Excellent commentary on the contemporary business of football

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Could easily have been half the length and made the same argument. Also the idealistic view of the women’s game is naive, the bigger and more successful it becomes will bring the same issues as the men’s game as ultimately money corrupts.

Fine but inessential

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