iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

The #ManCity case owes much to Rui Pinto and the journalists who investigated the leaked documents. In @politiken.dk, Jeppe Laursen Brock paints a fascinating portrait of the man behind the biggest leak in sports history. Thanks for sharing, Jeppe! 👉 politiken.dk/del/JPyKHBAH...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

New❗ @theguardian.com ’s “6,500” story is back in the dock. The new documentary 'Game of Double Standards' accuses Qatar’s critics of double standards. I examined the evidence. In the end, the film has chosen its title more aptly than it intended. 👉 www.playthegame.org/news/qatar-2...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Another #ManCity connection worth revisiting. In 2020, Abu Dhabi’s state-owned Mubadala, where City’s Chairman is CEO, committed $2bn to a strategy led by Silver Lake, a shareholder in City Football Group. Mubadala also invested in City’s then sleeve sponsor Nexen Tire in 2017.

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

More than 10 years ago, @sdwolfe.bsky.social's work on the 2014 Sochi Olympics helped shape my own research on sport and politics. Now we finally sat down to talk mega-events, political power and the hard edge of soft power. 🎙️ New Play the Game Podcast👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Much of what we know about the darker sides of international sport came to light because journalists kept asking questions. If you believe sport needs independent scrutiny, please consider supporting the Play the Game Journalism Fund. 👉 www.playthegame.org/journalism-f...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Sport cannot solve its integrity problems alone. And governments should not run sport. In a new opinion piece, Jens Sejer Andersen and I respond to former Danish NOC president Niels Nygaard’s criticism of Play the Game’s proposal for ClearingSport. idraetsmonitor-dk.translate.goog/nyheder/deba...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Aston Villa’s Visit Rwanda deal is about much more than a shirt sponsor. In this episode, I look at how Paul Kagame’s Rwanda has used sport to shape its international image – and bring in the voice of Carine Kanimba on what that image can push aside. 🎧 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

🎙️The Play the Game Podcast is for everyone interested in what happens when sport meets power. We already have episodes on FIFA, Qatar 2022, betting, Trump, World Cup impacts, and independent oversight. I hope you will listen and subscribe 👇 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Whenever outsiders expose what sport’s own safeguards missed, world sport reaches for another band-aid reform. Play the Game calls for a permanent independent oversight to protect the sports we love. 🎧 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm 📰 playthegame.org/news/fifa-s-...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

This clip from Miguel Maduro is one of the key moments in our podcast on Infantino’s FIFA. In a minute, he explains why FIFA reform is so difficult – concentrated power, weak scrutiny, and a system that cannot truly reform itself from within. 🎧https://play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm/

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

48 hours after his release, Qatar 2022 whistleblower Abdullah Ibhais was blocked from departing Jordan to testify in U.S human trafficking case related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Attached is a Press Statement by his attorney Aaaron Halegua!

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

FIFA closes ranks: it admits “mistakes”, but no one takes responsibility. It promises a review while clearing itself in advance, and warns it will not tolerate “attacks” on its integrity. This is not accountability. It is FIFA clearing itself and warning its critics to back off.

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

How did we get here? This podcast looks back at Infantino’s ten years in power - and the decisions, alliances and governance failures. The podcast was only possible because journalists and whistleblowers spent years exposing how FIFA really works. 🎧 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Weighing in on BBC News this evening after an extraordinary week in football politics. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has withdrawn his commercial proposal, while UEFA has declared that it has lost confidence in his leadership. The proposal is gone. Infantino's leadership crisis remains.

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Another extraordinary twist in what has already been an unprecedented week at FIFA. This time, one of the organisation’s most senior executives publicly turns on Gianni Infantino. Via @tariqpanja.bsky.social Story by @gdunbarap.bsky.social 👉 apnews.com/article/cord...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Breaking: Via @martynziegler.bsky.social Incredible. FIFA has reportedly circulated a briefing on expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, with a decision expected by August 14. As FIFA seeks outside investors, it’s fair to ask: who benefits most from creating even more commercial inventory?

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Live on BBC… More to come in the following days.

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Extraordinary development. “No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety…” Via @martynziegler.bsky.social

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Read this sharp piece by @adamcrafton.bsky.social from @nytimes.com 👇 Then, for the wider context, listen to or read my examination of Infantino’s ten years in power. The section below could hardly feel more timely. 🎧📰 www.playthegame.org/news/infanti... 📰 www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

🎙️ Have you listened to the Play the Game Podcast yet? The idea is simple: to give space and a longer life to the voices, stories, and debates about the people, powers, and politics shaping sport. These are the episodes we have published👇 Subsribe👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

“Countries are going to war because of criminal groups who are somehow still permitted to use the proceeds of crime to sponsor sports teams” That line from Lindsey Kennedy stayed with me. A disturbing new episode on betting, slavery, crime, and football👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

3/ FIFA repeatedly describes its judicial bodies as independent. That naturally raises the question: How does FIFA assess the independence of those appointed to them? inside.fifa.com/legal/judici...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

On 16 July, a new episode is out: Scams, slavery and surface-to-air missiles: Online sports betting in Southeast Asia Subscribe to the Play the Game Podcast in your podcast app of choice 👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

This World Cup has shown why journalism in sport matters! A few weeks ago, we launched the Play the Game Journalism Fund to support original and investigative journalism on integrity issues in sport. Help us fund journalism that holds sport to account👉 www.playthegame.org/journalism-f...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

🎙️ Want to hear the recording of Andrew Jennings challenging FIFA’s communications director Walter de Gregorio in public? In our episode on Infantino’s FIFA, we play the archive audio from Play the Game 2011 - a tense exchange about FIFA and accountability. 🎧👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

🎙️ New episode! Ten years after Gianni Infantino promised a “new FIFA”, what kind of FIFA has he actually built? I look back at Infantino's FIFA - a story about power, politics, and so-called ethics. 🎧 Listen here👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

New developments: Just received the news that Abdullah Ibhais has received his passport. Hear his story in our opening episode of the Play the Game Podcast. Qatar 2022 whistleblower: Abdullah Ibhais on prison, pressure, and media control 👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

🎙️I had the pleasure of speaking with investigative journalist @karimzidan.com about Donald Trump, sport, and power. Karim has spent years covering the uncomfortable edges of sport – where politics, human rights, combat sports, money, and influence meet. 👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

📢A new phase for Play the Game – and we need your support! First, we launched the Play the Game Podcast. Now, we are launching the Play the Game Journalism Fund. Through the fund, you can directly support journalism that holds sport to account. 👉 www.playthegame.org/news/play-th...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

🎙️ New Play the Game Podcast episode! Monika Streule takes us to Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, where World Cup projects collide with struggles over water, land, housing, and the environment. 👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

🎙️“FIFA and Qatar tried to break me" That line from Qatar 2022 whistleblower Abdullah Ibhais has stayed with me! In the opening episode of our new podcast, we talk about prison, pressure, media control, migrant workers, Qatar, and FIFA. Have you listened yet? 👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

🎙️ First week of the Play the Game Podcast! Three episodes are now out – and I am very grateful for the kind feedback and warm reception the podcast has received so far. Listen👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm @stevemenary.bsky.social @julesboykoff.bsky.social @playthegame-org.bsky.social

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

🎙️ New episode of the Play the Game Podcast! Jules Boykoff on sportswashing, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Donald Trump, and the 2028 Olympics. 🎧 Listen now 👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm For everyone interested in the people, power, and politics shaping sport. @julesboykoff.bsky.social

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

🎧New episode about: ⚽ FIFA’s growing ties to betting and prediction markets 🌍 Offshore betting and weak regulation 💻 FIFA+ used on betting websites 🚨 Match-fixing concerns in low-level football 🏆 Integrity risks ahead of the 2026 World Cup 👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

“FIFA and Qatar tried to break me” Abdullah Ibhais on our opening episode of Play the Game Podcast! 👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

I spoke with Qatar 2022 whistleblower Abdullah Ibhais for the opening episode of our new Play the Game Podcast. About the latest developments in his case - and how Qatar profiled journalists and managing criticism. “Silence is sport’s worst enemy.” 👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Subscribe to the Play the Game Podcast in your podcast app of choice. 👉 play-the-game-podcast.captivate.fm

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Abdullah Ibhais, former media manager of #Qatar2022, says authorities confiscated his passport. The move prevents him from attending @OsloFF and from participating in a witness deposition linked to allegations of forced labour and human trafficking. 👉 www.playthegame.org/news/qatar-w...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

It is worth remembering that for many years, Iranian athletes have faced imprisonment, exile, and execution for expressing dissent. I was reminded of this again by Zohreh Abdollahkhani at our Play the Game conferences in 2024 and 2025👉 www.playthegame.org/news/meet-th...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Russia is back and so is the language of neutrality in sport Infantino says Russia’s exclusion “achieved nothing”. I argue the opposite: it disrupted a political use of sport that mattered deeply to the Kremlin. Full comment 👇

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

#CAS denied application by Heraskevych The Sole Arbitrator found the limitations reasonable and proportionate, given athletes’ other opportunities to raise awareness (mixed zones, press conferences, social networks, and in his case wearing the helmet during four training runs).

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

“Not all bridges built for peace” In 2024, 🇺🇦 athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych made a powerful speech at our @playthegame-org.bsky.social conference. Now, Heraskevych is barred from competing with a helmet honouring 🇺🇦 athletes who lost their lives in Russia’s war. Watch👉 vimeo.com/962035621?sh...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

A helmet too political for the Olympics? 🇺🇦Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych wanted to compete wearing a helmet honouring Ukrainian athletes who have died as a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine. 🧵Thread, 1/3

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

When journalists frame sports boycotts as a simple yes/no question, they fail their democratic role. My comment on the boycott debate and the media’s responsibility is now available in English via @playthegame-org.bsky.social 👉 www.playthegame.org/news/sports-...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Journalism is failing the World Cup boycott debate. Once again, media coverage reduces complex sports-political realities to a simple yes-or-no question: boycott or not? 👉 journalisten-dk.translate.goog/journalistik...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Yesterday, the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Final was played. The NBA champions social justice and freedom of expression - while partnering with the UAE, an authoritarian state with a documented human rights record. 👉 www.nytimes.com/2024/09/25/o...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

💥 Scams, slavery, and surface-to-air missiles! These are the brutal realities behind parts of the global online betting industry - as revealed by investigative journalist Lindsey Kennedy in her hard-hitting presentation at @playthegame-org.bsky.social 2025 👉 www.playthegame.org/news/scams-s...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

🚨 Volunteers needed for Play the Game 2025! 🚨 We are still looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us at Play the Game 2025 in Tampere, Finland (5–8 October 2025). Interested, contact Cecilie Rohde Andersen at cecilie.andersen@idan.dk

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

💥 Excited to share that the programme for Play the Game 2025 is now online, featuring 275+ presentations, 60 sessions, and 4 days of inspiring debate, knowledge-sharing, and networking. 👉 www.playthegame.org/conferences/...

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Stanis Elsborg @staniselsborg.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

✨𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐤𝐞𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 2025✨ I am truly excited to share that World Champion gymnast and eight-time NCAA Champion Maggie Nichols will deliver the opening keynote at Play the Game 2025! 👉 www.playthegame.org/2025

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