SHORTLISTED 2025

Sports Writing Award | Shortlisted

States of Play

by Miguel Delaney

Journeying from Abu Dhabi to Newcastle, and onto London, Paris, Moscow and New York, 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. Miguel draws on exclusive interviews and unprecedented access to key stakeholders to produce an all-encompassing exposé of modern footballs highest echelons.

Explore the rest of the Sports Writing Award Shortlist