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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

"Looks like we picked the wrong week to release a World Cup Positivity episode".

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Richard Buxton @rbuxtonmedia.com · 11/07/2026

Craig Hope with the worst football journalism take since Mohamed Salah was labelled ‘another Juan Cuadrado’

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Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

If any journo justified their suggestion that Jude Bellingham either shouldn't start in or shouldn't go to this World Cup by criticising his arrogance/petulance/ego/self-interest etc. they should be sacked, because they're either A) Shit at their job, or B) Probably racist. Future England captain.

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Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Just a reminder some people were debating whether Jude Bellingham should start in this World Cup.

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Why do Argentina get so much luck with decisions? Why did FIFAs "independent" panel decide to make their first ever exception right after Donald Trump called? Why do cards, VAR calls and punishments suddenly seem so arbitrary? Coincidence, or conspiracy? Episode out now. rss.com/podcasts/the...

World Cup Series Ep. 8 - Are FIFA cheating? | Podcast Episode on RSS.com

World Cup Series Ep. 8 - Are FIFA cheating?This episode wasn't meant to be like this. What was meant to be a gentle chat about World Cup moments past got a little out of hand, when frustration borne o...

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

In Episode 7 of our World Cup series Ben and Jack go head to head drafting their all time World Cup teams, one player at a time. Ben went balance with Maldini, Matthaus and Messi. Jack went for flair with Cruyff, Charlton and Carlos, amongst others. The real decision is - who would win?

Ben's World Cup XI:

GK Banks
RB Carlos Alberto
CB Beckenbauer
CB Baresi
LB Maldini
DM Matthaus
CM Iniesta
CM Zidane
RW Messi
CF Ronaldo Nazário
LW Mbappe

Jack's World Cup XI:

GK Buffon
RB Cafu
CB Cannavaro
CB Moore
LB R. Carlos
DM Pirlo
CM Charlton
CM Cruyff
RW Garrincha
CF Pelé
LW Maradona

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

DOUBLE EPISODE As the knockout rounds heat up, here are two very different episodes. First, Jack and Ben go head to head picking their all time World Cup XI's. Then, we interrupted the episode intended to talk Balogun, Argentina, VAR et al, and ask: can FIFA be trusted? rss.com/podcasts/the...

World Cup Series Ep. 8 - Are FIFA cheating? | Podcast Episode on RSS.com

Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

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Forget the Germany job. Get him running for FIFA president.

Budd @n7eoj.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

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It has been criminally underreported but Kelsey Pfendler has just rowed solo across the Pacific Ocean from the US coast to Hawaii in record time. A 2,400-mile unsupported journey in 43 days, 17 hours, and 55 minutes. Notably beating the Men’s record by 9 whole days.

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Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Football unites the world.

A montage of front pages of newspapers and magazines from the UK, Spain, France, Japan, Italy, Germany and the US, all of them criticising Fifa president Gianni Infantino for his "capitulation" to Donald Trump in the Balogun affair.

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Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Now sack Infantino.

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Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Infantino tying himself so closely to Donald Trump will be his downfall.

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Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Of course Gianni is going for the "Our totally independent disciplinary body totally independently decided the first time a World Cup red card suspension would ever be reversed would be the one the President of the host nation I've been sucking up to for the past year personally asked for" defence.

Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

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For whom it may concern - please stop saying "Balogun shouldn't have been sent off, so suspending his ban is ok." Sport only works when rules are fair and equally applied. Argue for a fairer appeal process, argue for VAR to be less shit. Don't argue FIFA should be able to pick and choose. Please.

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Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Even if you don't think it was a red, FIFA suspending Balogun's ban is deeply worrying for the state of the game. In article 27, FIFA have a clause where they get to pick and choose how discipline is applied based on reputation, politics or profit - and they are quite prepared to use it for such.

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Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

What a goal. My mind is not prepared for the possibility this might be Messi's last every World Cup match.

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Since we're all still up anyway watching Cape Verde and Argentina play extra time, might I direct you towards our new episode. This is the greatest redemption story in World Cup - nay, football history. There's only one Ronaldo. rss.com/podcasts/the...

World Cup Series Ep. 6 - There's Only One Ronaldo | Podcast Episode on RSS.com

World Cup Series Ep. 6 - There's Only One RonaldoBefore Cristiano and Lionel, before Ronaldinho and Henry, there was Ronaldo. A man whose ability relative to his peers was so extraordinary it felt lik...

Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

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The only good thing about a heatwave is going out at half seven in the morning and seeing about a billion dogs getting their walks before the temperature begins to ramp up. A wholesome start to the day.

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Since it's too hot to sleep, we've released our new episode a day early. It's the story of Andrés Escobar, the Gentleman of Football, whose tragedy is remembered but whose life and career often get overlooked - though never by the people of Medellín, or Colombia as a whole. rss.com/podcasts/the...

World Cup Series Ep. 5 - Andrés Escobar | Podcast Episode on RSS.com

World Cup Series Ep. 5 - Andrés EscobarEl Caballero del Fútbol - The Gentleman of Football - a nickname given to a centre back whose stature, calm head and elegance led him to the pinnacle of World Cu...

The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Think your country's had a bad decision at the World Cup? Well, it's nothing new. In our latest episode we go through a top 10 (or so) refereeing controversies of tournaments past. Fascist influencers, English goal line drama and South Korean love-ins, it's got it all. rss.com/podcasts/the...

The Sporting Almanac Podcast | Podcast on RSS.com

Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

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That was like watching Brazil.

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Out now, Episode 3 of our World Cup series. FIFA is corrupt. Their excuse will always be corruption is the fault of individuals, not the organisation. But FIFA itself is setup such that the men at the top have so much power, they will always be able to get away with it. rss.com/podcasts/the...

World Cup Series Ep. 3 - FIFA's Corruption | Podcast Episode on RSS.com

World Cup Series Ep. 3 - FIFA's CorruptionFIFA would claim that it is individuals that are corrupt, not the organisation itself. Well, our counter to that would be that an organisation that sets itsel...

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

OUT NOW! Episode 3 of our World Cup series - on FIFA Corruption. We tell the story of how FBI and IRS agents used Chuck Blazer and others to take down multiple top FIFA executives, and ask the question - has anything really changed since? Er, probably not, no. rss.com/podcasts/the...

World Cup Series Ep. 3 - FIFA's Corruption | Podcast Episode on RSS.com

Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

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Episode 3 ends with us calling for James Milner to run for FIFA president. Need I say more than that.

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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 11/06/2026

SPEECHLESS. LFGK

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

World Cup day one and at the Almanac we're feeling pretty mixed emotions. We love football but hate FIFA, we love the passion of the US, Mexican and Canadian fans but hate seeing Trump's racist policies affecting worthy participants of the sport we love. So we're going to rant about it, naturally.

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Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Trump/Miller and the rest of those fuckwits are trying to win votes. They want to be seen as tough on immigration ahead of November, and Omar Artan's career to them is no price to pay. Where are all the "politics and sport shouldn't mix" crowd now? 2/2

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Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Omar Artan should be refereeing at the World Cup, obviously. But I find the U.S. position on this so telling. This would be the last thing previous iffy hosts (Putin, Videla, Qatar) would have wanted. They wanted to be seen as welcoming, to paint their countries as better than perceptions. 1/2

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

One of the joys of a sports history podcast is that the stories live forever... So as F1 returns to Monaco this weekend, why not revisit Episode 8 of the Sporting Almanac from last year, and hear about some actually very good races the principality has produced. rss.com/podcasts/the...

The Monaco Grand Prix | Podcast Episode on RSS.com

Episode 8: The Monaco Grand Prix - The Jewel in the Formula One CrownJack and Ben are in the glamour and glitz of Monaco this week for the 82nd running of the most famous race on the Formula One calen...

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Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

I've decided the Gemini chat feature on YouTube, when made to summarise podcast episodes, is the only good use for AI. This is indeed what I said, and I stand by it 😂

Gemini chat feature on YouTube summarising a section of a Sporting Almanac Podcast episode discussing the England World Cup squad, correctly noting the hosts describe Ruben Loftus-Cheek as "a bit meh" and not playing in a "proper league".

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Vivienne Robertson (was Carr) @vivihen66.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Remembering the 39 Juventus fans who lost their lives in the Heysel Stadium tradgedy 🖤🖤🖤🖤 No fan should ever go to a football match & not come home 🖤🖤🖤🖤

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

NEW EPISODE The UEFA European Finals We discuss the three finals (including previewing the one that already happened, obviously), ask if the Europa League has been watered down, if the Conference League has been a success, and if Ben has ever been happier than right now after Arsenal's title win.

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

NEW EPISODE The EFL Playoffs We can safely say we've never had to go back in and add a new section to an episode before... We talk playoff history, best moments, comebacks and games, as well as previewing this season's matchups - thanks to Spygate, twice. Out now on all good podcast providers.

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

We have one extremely happy co-host tonight. 🏆

Cameron Templar @whiteheatff.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

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Raiders rookie QB Fernando Mendoza is a good dude.

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@laythy29 @laythy29.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

FA Cup final score: Chelsea (fined £47m over secret payments) 0-1 Manchester City (still awaiting 115 charges to be heard after three years) Ah, the magic of the cup

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Michael Caley @michaelcaley.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

this official statement from the Football League on the their process for the Southampton Spygate hearing is a pretty wonderful document they want to re-assure fans that they have a plan but they very clearly do not have a plan www.efl.com/news/2026/ma...

EFL Statement: Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final
General

14 May
Words: EFL

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The EFL can today provide an interim update on the ongoing disciplinary proceedings involving Southampton following Tuesday’s Championship Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg.

The Independent Disciplinary Commission hearing will take place on or before Tuesday, 19 May.

The exact date remains under discussion and is expected to be confirmed shortly.

The Commission will issue its decision as soon as possible following consideration of the relevant submissions and evidence.

As the proceedings are being conducted by an Independent Disciplinary Commission, the EFL does not control the proposed timetable.

Notwithstanding this, the EFL continues to plan on the basis that the Championship Play-Off Final will take place as scheduled on Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time confirmed as 4.30pm.

Supporters should, however, be aware that the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture.

The EFL has a number of contingency plans should they be required, which also includes consideration of any appeal process, if required.

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

NEW EPISODE ⚽️ Oil, Oligarchs and the FA Cup Final ⚽️ Once upon a time, almost anyone could dream of winning the FA Cup. Now? Just five clubs have won all but four finals in thirty years. This week we ask whether modern football has killed the magic of the Cup, and how we got where we are.

Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

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What's lasting longer, this match or Keir Starmer as PM?

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The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Having a couple of weeks off as a lot going on for both hosts right now, rest assured we won't be letting the end of the football season slip by unmentioned though. We will be back ahead of the FA Cup final, and very much looking forward to doing some obscene FIFA bashing going into the summer.

The Sporting Almanac Podcast @thesportingalmanac.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

A more extraordinary sportsman than Alex Zanardi you would be hard pressed to find. His Paralympic golds in London in 2012 will live long in the memory. Rest in peace.

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Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Can't wait to see how the Jets do in the 2030 draft after trading all their 2026 picks away on trade deadline day.

Matt Bishop 🏳️‍🌈 🏁 @thebishf1.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

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Lella Lombardi became the first (& is still the only) point-scoring woman in #F1 history when she finished 6th at Montjuïc #OnThisDay in ’75 (pic). Her last F1 GP was Österreichring ’76, & in the 50 years since then no woman has started a world championship F1 GP. Let’s hope that changes one day.🤞

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Jack Senior @jacksenior42.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

The National League is an absolute joke of a league. Congrats to York. Good luck to Rochdale in the playoffs.