States of Play is an admirably thorough survey of [football's] depressing developments. Its core thesis - that soccer's Faustian bargain with big moneyed interests is undermining both its sporting competitiveness and its moral integrity - is persuasively argued. * Houman Barekat in The Irish Times *
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 vital read for anyone who wants to understand the journey from beautiful game to bountiful game... He writes as a genuine fan who also understands and cares about issues of global economic and political power... an essential guide to what football has become and a reminder of its true value. * Martin Cloake in The Football Fan *
A tightly written history, polemic and analysis. * James Corbett, Senior Correspondent for Off The Pitch *
States of Play is a seminal work on 21st century football, which has been transformed in a way few of us can have ever imagined back in 2000. Delaney plots both how we got here but also ponders whether there is a way out of this maze. Along the way, there are jaw dropping anecdotes and revelations. It's one of the most important football books written in recent times. * Rob Draper, the award-winning football journalist, author and co-host of The Overlap's It Was What It Was podcast *
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 *
Delaney delivers a compulsive, compelling account of how the beautiful game has been bought and sold - and how the corrupt and the kleptocratic have profited while fans have been left far behind. Urgent reading. * Peter Geoghegan, Sunday Times Bestselling Author of DEMOCRACY FOR SALE: Dark Money and Dirty Politics *
In an era when football has become captured by networks of political and economic power, Miguel Delaney's States of Play is the essential guide to how and why this happened; an impressive piece of truly transnational history that exposes power at work. * David Goldlbatt, Award-Winning Author of THE BALL IS ROUND *
If you want to understand 21st century football - really understand it - then you'll want to read States of Play. * Phil Hay, Sunday Times Bestselling Author of AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL & Football Correspondent for The Athletic *
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 *
The most important book written this century about the forces controlling football. * Simon Hughes, Staff Writer at The Athletic and Author of Several Books on Liverpool FC inc