States of Play

A compelling expose into the world of modern football, the organisations, individuals and clubs who own it, and what it means for the future of our global sport

The definitive account of how sportswashing and capitalism have taken over 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 in search of the answers, Miguel Delaney follows the threads that surround the allegations of sportswashing and misconduct in the beautiful game. The result is an exploration of how European football clubs have been bought by some of the world's wealthiest businessmen and state-backed corporations.

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 expose of modern footballs highest echelons.

Authoritative, riveting and eye-opening, this book reveals how football has been taken away from the fans and is now a tool for the world's elite.

In an age where many feel football is losing its way, Delaney's diligence and determination to hold authorities to account is the moral compass that the game needs. Andy Brassell, Author of WE PLAY ON and the co-Host of the Football Ramble podcast In this excellent investigation, Delaney reveals the ugly side of the beautiful game. His book isn't just about football; it's much, much more important than that.' Oliver Bullough, Sunday Times Bestselling Author of MONEYLAND & BUTLER TO THE WORLD This is a hugely important book for anyone who wants to understand the mess that football finds itself in. States of Play is the definitive account of how the world's game has been used and abused to further the goals of people who care nothing for it. Martin Calladine, Author of NO QUESTIONS ASKED: How Football Joined the Crypto Con & FIT AND PROPER PERSONS: The Lies and Fall of Own AFC A brilliant and necessary book. So much has been written about sportwashing. I've never seen it so expertly analysed in one place. This book will age well, unlike the reputations of some of those who feature in it. Joey D'Urso, Author of MORE THAN A SHIRT & Senior Data Journalist at The Times A scorching account of how football's very popularity threatens to destroy it - a brave, forensic and utterly gripping book. Tom Holland, Sunday Times Bestselling Author of PAX, DOMINION & RUBICON, and the co-host of The Rest is History podcast A necessary and fearless examination of what has happened to football and who it has been sold to. The most important football book of its generation. Jack Pitt-Brooke, Football Writer at The Athletic States of Play is an eye-opening and essential investigation into the forces shaping the world's most popular sport. Miguel Delaney has shown that the most important battles in football aren't the ones happening on the pitch. Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg, New York Times Bestselling co-Authors of THE CLUB and THE FORMULA This book tackles the major issue affecting football today with fearlessness and forensic scrutiny. Miguel cares deeply for the game and its fans and that affection directs his moral compass to challenging authority in the strongest way. An important investigation for our times. Laurie Whitwell, Manchester United Correspondent at The Athletic A majestic book that through thorough research and trenchant argument makes clear how football has been hijacked by private equity and sovereign states; it's the essential guide to how the people's game has become the plaything of the very rich and powerful, with any sense of innocence lost. Jonathan Wilson, Award-Winning Author of INVERTING THE PYRAMID A must-read on how modern football works, from the journalist who has led the way on this subject. Ian Wright, Former Professional Footballer and TV Pundit

Miguel Delaney is the chief football writer at the Independent and has been nominated for several awards, including the Football Supporters' Association Writer of the Year, British Journalism Awards Sports Journalist of the Year and SJA Sports Writer of the Year. He is one of football's leading journalists and has covered 14 consecutive Champions League finals, 4 World Cups, and 5 European Championships, amongst others.

Twitter/X: @MiguelDelaney

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