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Colin Millar

@colinmillar.bsky.social

Football news reporter and journalist for The Athletic. Author of The Frying Pan of Spain.

12,630 Followers  |  993 Following  |  353 Posts  |  Joined: 13.11.2024
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Posts by Colin Millar (@colinmillar.bsky.social)

Preview
The Totally Football Show with James Richardson: Vini wonder goal overshadowed on toxic night in Lisbon Jimbo is joined by Charlie Eccleshare, Colin Millar, Tom Wiliams and Seb Stafford-Bloor to discuss an eventful evening in the Champions League play-offs.In Lisbon, Vini Jr scored a wonder goal and ...

๐ŸšจWEDNESDAY POD!๐Ÿšจ

@acjimbo.bsky.social, @cdeccleshare.bsky.social, @colinmillar.bsky.social, @tomwfootball.bsky.social & @sebsb.bsky.social after an eventful Tuesday in the Champions League๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ†

Featuring Juve's collapse in Istanbul, PSG's comeback in Monaco & a toxic night in Lisbon

pod.fo/e/391e0f

18.02.2026 15:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 9    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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ICE says it will play โ€˜key partโ€™ in 2026 World Cup security Todd Lyons, ICEโ€™s acting director, was responding to a question from Democrat Nellie Pou before a panel in the House of Representatives.

โ—ICE agents will form a โ€œkey partโ€ of the security at the 2026 menโ€™s World Cup. โ€œICE, specifically homeland security investigations, is a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup,โ€ said Todd Lyons, ICEโ€™s acting director. By @colinmillar.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

11.02.2026 13:21 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 11    ๐Ÿ” 8    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 11
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Borja Iglesias suffered homophobic abuse for painting his nails. The reaction was overwhelming (Gift Article) Celta Vigo players and thousands of their fans painted their own nails to show solidarity with striker Borja Iglesias after homophobic abuse

After Celta Vigo's Borja Iglesias was subjected to homophobic abuse, including that he painted his nails โ€” his club fought back.

Borja's team-mates and 5,000 fans painted their nails for their next match๐Ÿ’…

(Article free to read on @theathleticfc.bsky.social)

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

08.02.2026 10:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 108    ๐Ÿ” 25    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
Preview
Borja Iglesias suffered homophobic abuse for painting his nails. The reaction was overwhelming (Gift Article) Celta Vigo players and thousands of their fans painted their own nails to show solidarity with striker Borja Iglesias after homophobic abuse

After Celta Vigo's Borja Iglesias was subjected to homophobic abuse, including that he painted his nails โ€” his club fought back.

Borja's team-mates and 5,000 fans painted their nails for their next match๐Ÿ’…

(Article free to read on @theathleticfc.bsky.social)

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

08.02.2026 10:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 108    ๐Ÿ” 25    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3

Specifically is designed for players who were at Argentine clubs on youth contracts but who sign elsewhere before turning pro.

06.02.2026 16:48 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Explaining Argentinaโ€™s new youth rule that would have barred Lionel Messi from the national team (Gift Article) The move by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is designed to protect domestic clubs from losing young players to teams abroad.

Argentina's FA has moved to prevent players receiving international call-ups if they move abroad before first signing a pro contract at an Argentine club. Rule would have stopped Messi playing for Argentina after Barcelona move.

(Link is free for non subscribers)

www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

06.02.2026 14:22 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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China bans 73 people and sanctions 13 clubs in soccer corruption investigation In total, a cumulative total of 72 league points have been docked from 13 clubs across the two divisions of Chinese football.

China's authorities have banned 73 people from football for life and sanctioned 13 clubs following an investigation into corruption.

It means 9 clubs begin the Chinese Super League season on minus points, including last year's top two. @theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

30.01.2026 12:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Yeah is really good and insightful, as is always the case with James' work.

28.01.2026 07:29 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Qarabag, the Champions League disruptors forced to leave their home The Azerbaijani side travel to Liverpool with every chance of reaching the play-offs. Their history is bound up with conflict

Qarabag are this season's Champions League's surprise story.

Liverpool's opponents are from the war-torn Nagorno-Karabkh region. Their Aghdam home has been a ghost-town since 1993. Their story is bound with conflict. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

27.01.2026 10:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 18    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Qarabag, the Champions League disruptors forced to leave their home The Azerbaijani side travel to Liverpool with every chance of reaching the play-offs. Their history is bound up with conflict

Qarabag are this season's Champions League's surprise story.

Liverpool's opponents are from the war-torn Nagorno-Karabkh region. Their Aghdam home has been a ghost-town since 1993. Their story is bound with conflict. For @theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

27.01.2026 10:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 18    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Football's newest league features eight clubs from seven nations, the first properly cross-border 'domestic' competition in the sport.

Could it set a blueprint for how the game might look in years to come?

๐Ÿ“ @colinmillar.bsky.social

๐Ÿ”— www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

24.01.2026 09:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 26    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The Totally Football Show with James Richardson: Man United dominate City in the derby, plus the incredible AFCON finale Itโ€™s Jimbo, Daniel Storey, Colin Millar and Luis Miguel Echegaray in position after another dramatic weekend of Premier League action.Itโ€™s 4 games without a win for Man City as Michael Carrick๏ฟฝ...

๐ŸšจMONDAY POD!๐Ÿšจ

@acjimbo.bsky.social, @danielstorey85.bsky.social, @colinmillar.bsky.social & Luis Miguel Echegaray on the ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ:

๐Ÿ”ดBoring Carrick = exciting United
๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ณCrazy AFCON scenes with @mahermezahi.bsky.social
๐Ÿฆ…Glasner lets loose with @mattwoosie.bsky.social
๐ŸซคSpurs' waste of time

pod.fo/e/37b842

19.01.2026 07:30 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Cricketโ€™s T20 World Cup is highlighting tensions on the Indian subcontinent India is co-hosting the 20-team tournament, starting on February 7, but Bangladesh has said it will join Pakistan in not playing there

Bangladesh claim it is not safe for them to play in India during next monthโ€™s T20 cricket World Cup.

Pakistan will already play its games in Sri Lanka instead.

@colinmillar.bsky.socialexplains how the geopolitical tensions on the Indian subcontinent are threatening to overshadow the tournament.

16.01.2026 10:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 19    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Russia may return to international football after four-year absence in new FIFA youth tournament Russia's national teams and domestic clubs have been suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions since the nation's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia may return to international football after a four-year blanket ban from competitions. FIFA's new under-15 tournament will be "open to all" 211 of its member associations, of which the Russian Football Union remains a member. Story @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

17.12.2025 17:57 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The Totally Football Show with James Richardson: Salah lets loose on Liverpool as Villa blow title race wide open Matt Davies-Adams is in the hot seat to pick apart the Premier League weekend with Daniel Storey, Reuben Pinder and Colin Millar.Leeds fight back against Liverpool in a scintillating 3-3 draw at El...

๐ŸšจMONDAY POD!๐Ÿšจ

Join @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social, @danielstorey85.bsky.social, @colinmillar.bsky.social & Reuben Pinder after a very newsworthy weekend:

๐ŸฅŠSalah v Slot?
๐Ÿ†Villa in the title race?
๐Ÿ“–The weight of history for Arsenal
๐Ÿฆ…Palace go 4th!

pod.fo/e/361c18

08.12.2025 07:11 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Looking forward to this - see you there!

04.12.2025 13:19 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Book | Southbank Centre

Some tickets left for our first live show at the Southbank Centre tonight in London!
Doors are at 19:15, show starts at 19:45!

www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/sta...

04.12.2025 09:15 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba scored a last-minute winner for his nation to beat Cameroon and has now just scored the winning penalty for DR Congo to eliminate Nigeria. Not a bad three days for the centre-back.

16.11.2025 21:57 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 15    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

It's the language used by the club, not by us, so we're quoting it.

16.11.2025 00:32 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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World Cup 2026: Why have so many of the biggest countries not qualified? At least seven of the world's 10 most populous nations have not qualified for the tournament

At least seven of the 10 most populous nations have not qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

In a tournament featuring minnows like Cape Verde (population 525,000), why are so many global powers missing out on football's biggest tournament?

๐Ÿ“ @colinmillar.bsky.social

14.11.2025 10:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 5    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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The Totally Football Show with James Richardson: Ronaldo sees red, England see off Serbia + Nigeria strike Jetting off on this international break with Jimbo are Duncan Alexander, Daniel Storey and Colin Millar.World Cup qualifying is reaching its conclusion with France officially there, Norway all but ...

๐ŸšจFRIDAY POD!๐Ÿšจ

@acjimbo.bsky.social, @oilysailor.bsky.social, @danielstorey85.bsky.social & @colinmillar.bsky.social on international duty:

๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟWhat's Tuchel learning?
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡นRonaldo sees red!
๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ@jaydmharris.bsky.social & the Super Eagles
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ผCould Curaรงao qualify?
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ทThe Turkish betting scandal

pod.fo/e/352da5

14.11.2025 13:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Mexico president pledges to give her first 2026 World Cup ticket to a young woman Claudia Sheinbaum will forego her premium seat for the opening match and give it to a young woman who could otherwise not afford to attend.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged to give up her premium seat for the opening match of the 2026 World Cup to a young woman who could not afford to attend.

More from @colinmillar.bsky.social

11.11.2025 10:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 69    ๐Ÿ” 6    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 5    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
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Galatasaray, Besiktas players among 1,024 footballers suspended by Turkish FA in betting probe It comes after the TFF suspended 149 match officials last month following their alleged involvement in a betting scandal.

Football players from Galatasaray and Besiktas are among 1,024 players suspended by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) as part of an investigation into betting.

More from @colinmillar.bsky.social

11.11.2025 15:56 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 32    ๐Ÿ” 6    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 13
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Rwanda accepts top Sudan clubs into domestic soccer league due to ongoing civil war Al Hilal and Al Merrikh played the 2024-25 season in Mauritania, north west Africa, due to the unstable political situation in Sudan.

The Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) has accepted three top clubs from Sudan, where there is an ongoing civil war, into its domestic league for the 2025-26 season.

More from @colinmillar.bsky.social โคต๏ธ

www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

25.10.2025 12:38 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 43    ๐Ÿ” 6    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Don't ignore what is happening in Sudan, where Civil War continues.

Despite everything, football continues. The top clubs from Sudan - who remarkably qualified for this year's AFCON - will play this season in Rwanda, 2,500km south. @theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

25.10.2025 12:20 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 18    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Canadaโ€™s newest soccer club โ€” and its distinct recruitment policy The province that is home to 23 percent of the national population hasn't had a Canadian Premier League team in its first seven seasons.

"A club from here, for here."

Meet Supra du Quebec: football's newest club and the first Canadian Premier League team from the French-speaking region. "This club will exist to serve the players of this province," says its president. Story @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...

23.10.2025 10:55 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 23    ๐Ÿ” 9    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
Preview
Canadaโ€™s newest soccer club โ€” and its distinct recruitment policy The province that is home to 23 percent of the national population hasn't had a Canadian Premier League team in its first seven seasons.

"A club from here, for here."

Meet Supra du Quebec: football's newest club and the first Canadian Premier League team from the French-speaking region. "This club will exist to serve the players of this province," says its president. Story @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...

23.10.2025 10:55 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 23    ๐Ÿ” 9    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
Preview
The Totally Football Show with James Richardson: Man United make it 4 defeats in a row for Liverpool as Ange exits Forest Matt Davies-Adams is in the hot seat with Daniel Storey, Tom Williams and Colin Millar for company after another jaw-dropping Premier League weekend.It's 4 defeats in a row for Liverpool and back-t...

๐ŸšจMONDAY POD!๐Ÿšจ

It's @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social, @danielstorey85.bsky.social, @tomwfootball.bsky.social & @colinmillar.bsky.social after a jaw-dropping weekend ๐Ÿ˜ฒ

๐Ÿ‘ฟ Maguire makes it 4 defeats in a row for Liverpool
๐ŸŒณ The end of Ange at Forest
๐Ÿงฎ How many will Haaland get?

pod.fo/e/340198

20.10.2025 06:40 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Why San Marino must lose (heavily) to maintain slim hopes of World Cup qualification The microstate has lost all seven World Cup qualification games to date โ€” and must lose the eighth if it hopes to qualify

San Marino are the lowest ranked of all 210 men's teams in international football.

They have lost all seven World Cup qualification matches so far. This explains why they can still qualify if they (heavily) lose one more. @theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

13.10.2025 13:38 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

Cape Verde Islands, population 525k, qualify for their first World Cup on Monday if they beat Eswatini.

Tickets in the 8k-seater Estรกdio da Vรกrzea are gold dust. There is no online sale but 5 different sale points for tickets: the stadium, 3 petrol stations, and a bakery.

10.10.2025 19:58 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 41    ๐Ÿ” 6    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2