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Rhys W Richards

@rhyswrichards.bsky.social
128 followers 127 following 194 posts

Author of 'Blood On The Crossbar: The Dictatorship's World Cup'. Cardiff City. Cymro i'r carn. www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/bloo…

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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
substack.com/@rhys78richa...
substack.com
Rhys Richards (@rhys78richards)
Infantino’s ruinous World Cup plan is in tatters and his leadership is on life support. What better time than to pick the bones out of the weird and (mostly) wonderful World Cup 2026?! Here's my rev...
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Rodri clearly wanted Infantino to take his senile pal off the stage, so that he could lift the trophy in peace.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Spain are worthy winners of the World Cup, they were the best team across the tournament. What a terrible final though. Excruciating. It felt as though Argentina's final was midweek!
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
The more I think of it, a terrible 0-0 World Cup final may not be the worst thing. It could put USA off hosting another tournament for a generation. Fewer Tom Cruise monologues can only be a good thing.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
substack.com/@rhys78richa... New article on my Substack.
substack.com
(You’re not) Welcome to America
Why 2026’s World Cup is the most uninviting of all time.
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FairSquare @fairsqprojects.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
This summer, North America is forecast to experience severe temperatures driven by climate change. Fans will be sitting in extreme and dangerous heat inside stadiums with no way to refill their water bottles. #football #soccer #worldcup
Blue-tinted campaign graphic showing a plastic water bottle standing on a football pitch. Large text reads: “FIFA bans water bottles from World Cup stadiums.” Below, additional text states: “Dasani, Coca-Cola’s bottled water brand, is an official FIFA sponsor. This is what running the game for profit over fans looks like.” A yellow call-to-action banner directs viewers to rebootfifa.com. FairSquare and Reboot branding appear on the graphic. The image criticises FIFA’s commercial relationships and highlights concerns about sponsorship influencing fan experience at football tournaments.
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📚 Tears at La Bombonera/Dame Bola (Christopher Hylland) @hylland.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
LEOPOLDO LUQUE: born on this day in 1949 The striker —who played for Rosario Central, River Plate, Racing Club & Santos FC, amongst others— scored Argentina's first goal of the 1978 World Cup, adding three more as la selección won their first World Cup on home soil
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
London 14/5/26 World Cup preview evening @ The Volley, Old St. I'll be speaking about my book 'Blood On The Crossbar: The Dictatorship's World Cup', which focuses on the 1978 World Cup. Come along!
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Outside Write (Chris Lee) ⚽️ @outsidewrite.co.uk · 24/03/2026
#OnThisDay 24 March 1976 🇦🇷 A coup in Argentina saw a military junta take control for seven years, during which an estimated 30,000 people 'disappeared' during the 'Dirty War'. @rhyswrichards.bsky.social wrote a brilliant book about how the junta impacted the 1978 World Cup #NuncaMas
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Twenty Twenty Six.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
I watched the final episode of this last night - Jerry Jones & Jimmy Johnson's reconciliation. I didn't expect to be in tears watching a documentary about a team I don't even like. Superb storytelling. Goosebumps all over with Jimmy's 'How bout them Cowboys?!' cry!
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
If Rachel Traitors survives the game of chance, she's blotted her copy book a bit. It's not a convincing win. Like when a team wins a tournament but has a few penalty shootout wins along the way.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Great to see Gabriel Jesus put his injuries behind him and score again. Jesus comebacks don't get much bigger than this!
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
Christmas sport hierarchy: 1: World's Strongest Man ...everything else a distant 2nd.
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Outside Write (Chris Lee) ⚽️ @outsidewrite.co.uk · 13/11/2025
NEW POST 🗞️ I know a lot of my followers are interested in South American football, so here’s a list of the Best Books on South American Football 🌎 Features @jonawils.bsky.social @hylland.bsky.social @rhyswrichards.bsky.social and more... Any you’d add? open.substack.com/pub/outsidew...
open.substack.com
The Best Books About South American Football
South America takes football to another level, and it’s often led football writing to new heights as well. Here are some of the best books out there on South American football...
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Christopher Evans @jervisevans.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
Mi libro ‘Los Leones: La Historia Única Del Athletic Club’ ha sido traducido al castellano y verá la luz con El Gallo de Oro el 10 de noviembre. Mila esker/ Eskerrik Asko a todos los que me habéis acompañado en este camino - ya sabéis quiénes sois 🙌🏻 🔴⚪️ #AthleticClub 🎥 Maitane Recio
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📚 Tears at La Bombonera/Dame Bola (Christopher Hylland) @hylland.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
♾ DIEGO ARMANDO MARADONA: the playlist Diego Maradona should be celebrating his 65th birthday on Thursday 30th October, to celebrate I present a thread of songs written in homage to El D10S. (Spotify link at end of thread) Nowhere does music and football better than Argentina! 🎸⚽️🧵
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Just shows, you're only one asteroid away from disaster.
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Chris Lepkowski @chrislepkowski.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
📺No domestic football on TV for 6 months 👊fans rioting 🆔ID cards ⚡️electric fences 😨people crossing the road to avoid you That was football fandom in 1985/86. Thank God for Saint & Greavsie. Read all about it in THE SLUM SPORT - the story of 85/86 Links below⬇️⬇️
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Christopher Evans @jervisevans.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
Really enjoyed chatting to Chris Lee on the excellent @outsidewrite.bsky.social podcast about the Basque refugee children in Caerleon and those who went on to play for the likes of #AthleticClub and #RealMadrid. Have a listen in the usual places 🎧👍🏻 #RefugeesWelcome #StopWar #Euskadi #Gales #Cymru
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 19/10/2025
Xi Jinping is preparing to go toe to toe with Donald Trump – and there will only be one winner | Simon Tisdall
theguardian.com
Xi Jinping is preparing to go toe to toe with Donald Trump – and there will only be one winner | Simon Tisdall
Beijing has realised that reckless America First policies are alienating old and new friends alike, creating a vacuum it can fill, says Guardian foreign affairs commentator Simon Tisdall
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BeardedGenius @beardedgenius.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
🚨 NEW BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 Following Inshallah United, I am chuffed to bits to announce my second book - Assalam Alaikum, Our Kid! A story of being Muslim, Manc and mad for it in the new millennium Pre-oder with 25% off at @Waterstones using the code OCTOBER25: www.waterstones.com/book/assalam...
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Cymru 2 - 4 Belgium. We've got some good players, but we definitely create more problems for ourselves than for our opposition. It's an anxious experience watching this team, at the moment.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
I'm happy to announce that Blood On The Crossbar is being re-released on paperback in time for the 2026 World Cup 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇲🇽 Pre-order from @waterstones.bsky.social ⚽ Use the code enter “OCTOBER25” at the checkout to redeem the 25% discount from Tue 14 to Fri 17 Oct 2026. Link below 👇
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
Any given Sunday. Especially last Sunday! #SKOL #NFLTottenham #Vikings
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
Chelsea are quite likeable under Maresca. Beating Liverpool won't hurt that.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
As the comms said - Vikings were resuscitated several times in that game. Still a kick in the teeth to see them flatline after a half a dozen sacks and interceptions, though. #NFLDublin
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
Rams snatching defeat from the jaws of victory Vs Eagles. Never seen back-to-back blocked kicks before!
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
The existence of a Buendia and a Buonanotte in the Premier League suggests that there's also a 'Buenostardes' playing somewhere, waiting to be signed by Brighton.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
A bunch of my friends who went to Kazakhstan to see Cymru (a) last week, wouldn't go to Swansea last night because it was too far. My decision to not attend was far more legitimate, of course. It was raining.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 23/08/2025
Levante 2-0 up v Barcelona. Never a penalty, but worth it for the chaotic vibes.
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John Ewan @londonhibee.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
Looking forward to listening to @davidgoldblatt.bsky.social & @philippeauclair.bsky.social tomorrow night at the launch of David's latest book organised by @stanchionbooks.bsky.social at The Volley
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
Reassuring to see Everton are still absolutely honking. Unflappable consistency, year on year.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
La Liga on Disney +. Vamos!
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Miguel Delaney @migueldelaney.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
I think the most absurd thing about the Palace demotion is that being so pedantic and hardline on this case doesn't actually touch the multiple problems that multi-club ownership actually throws up. As someone in Uefa put to me, it's being strong on the negligible aspects.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Me, after a week in France: it's so refreshing to see them prioritise family and community over the rampant capitalism we have in the UK. Me, after three weeks in France: Fuck me, is anywhere ever open?!
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
Bayonne street art #BasqueCountry
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
The shagadelic Bluebirds are top of league one!
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Newport's Athletic Club inspired shirt to commemorate the Basque child refugees is cool. Wrexham's Wladfa inspired shirt is lame. Those are the rules.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
England women win the euros. Big day for centrist park run dads.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Pool side reading. I heard recently that men my age don't read very much fiction (true in my case). I've even tried to go off-genre. Although, admittedly, this is dystopia-adjacent.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
A sad day for metal but a good day for bats.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
What a wanker www.bbc.com/sport/americ...
bbc.com
Washington Commanders: President Donald Trump threatens stadium block unless Commanders change name
President Donald Trump threatens to block Washington Commanders' new stadium build if the team does not revert to their original name.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 13/07/2025
Mr President, a second cooling break has hit the Club World Cup final.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
20 minutes to hang on and win a game of rugby for the first time in years. Come on Cymru. Get it done.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
Impressed by Olivia Rodrigo's Glastonbury set. Big riffs, great presence and a Robert Smith guest slot. The kids are alright, I guess.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
This guy from The 1975 is such an insufferable gimp.
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Rhys W Richards @rhyswrichards.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
This Club World Cup feels like it's been on forever, already.
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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
This is the country whose money enabled Fifa to stage the Club World Cup. Nothing else should matter. cpj.org/2025/06/saud...
cpj.org
Saudi Arabia executes journalist Turki al-Jasser on treason, terrorism charges  - Committee to Protect Journalists
Washington, D.C., June 14, 2025 — Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior announced the Saturday execution of prominent Saudi journalist Turki al-Jasser, who had been detained for seven years on charges o...
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