Andrew Butler

Advocates for greater inclusion in refereeing question pa... Campaigners insist that much more needs to be done to build on Uriah Rennie’s incredible legacy

A week after the death of Uriah Rennie, advocates for greater inclusion in refereeing are questioning the pace of change across English football’s elite men’s game.
By me, for @theobserveruk.bsky.social

observer.co.uk/news/sport/a... Advocates for greater inclusion in refereeing question pa...

Sport | The Observer Independent journalism | News, culture & style | Investigations, analysis, features, ideas, recipes, newsletters & podcasts that make sense of the world

🙌 @paulhayward.bsky.social on sport's communal joy
🇬🇭🇳🇬 @morgankofori.bsky.social on the Afro Classico
🦊 @benbloomsport.bsky.social on Leicestershire's revival
🏉 @bencoles.bsky.social on the rise of Run It Straight

All online and in print today:
observer.co.uk/collections/...

The @observeruk.bsky.social Sport – 1 June 2025

🚵 Simon Yates's Ride to Redemption – @jeremywhittle.bsky.social
🇫🇷 PSG finally win the Champions League – @rorysmith.bsky.social
⚽️ Jessy PH on who should make the Lionesses squad
🏏 @zaltzcricket.bsky.social on ODIs being killed

Tomorrow in Observer Sport: Champions leap

Arsenal stun Barcelona to win Women's Champions League, reports Jessy Parker Humphreys from Lisbon.

Buy your copy tomorrow morning or get the newspaper delivered to your door every Sunday: bit.ly/4jFwQCW

Sport | The Observer Independent journalism | News, culture & style | Investigations, analysis, features, ideas, recipes, newsletters & podcasts that make sense of the world

⚈ @zaltzcricket.bsky.social on Virat Kohli's Test legacy
⚈ @lydiahislop.bsky.social on Rachael Blackmore
⚈ Ben Coles on the Lions's Finn v Fin dilemma
⚈ @morgankofori.bsky.social edits Fanfare & Fanguish

Plus more... get your copy, or visit observer.co.uk/collections/...

This week's @theobserveruk.bsky.social Sport – The Hend of god.

⚈ @rorysmith.bsky.social & @paulhayward.bsky.social
from the FA Cup final
⚈ Jessy Parker Humphreys interviews Sonia Bompastor ahead of Women's FA Cup final
⚈ Photo essay as Everton leave Goodison Park
⚈ The Imola Grand Prix...

Bradley Wiggins: ‘I was a functioning cocaine addict’ | The Observer The five-time Olympic gold medal winner tells Jeremy Whittle about his struggles with cocaine following his retirement from the sport

“I was doing shitloads of cocaine... there were times my son thought I was going to be found dead in the morning.

"I was a functioning addict. I was high most of the time for many years."

Extraordinarily candid from Bradley Wiggins, by
@jeremywhittle.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

A toxic takeover turned United from a powerhouse into football’s laughing stock | The Observer The 20-year anniversary of the Glazer family buyout does not mark a happy day for fans

A toxic takeover turned Manchester United from a powerhouse into football’s laughing stock.

The 20-year anniversary of the Glazer family buyout does not mark a happy day for fans.

✍️ @xaviergreenwood.bsky.social

Read more:

Thanks for understanding

Thank you for understanding

Hi Paul, we've been made aware of the contributor posts that stand completely at odds to the Observer's ethos as a leading voice on liberal values, and we have communicated to them that we will not be using any more from him. Thank you.

Hi Tash, we've been made aware of the contributor posts that stand completely at odds to the Observer's ethos as a leading voice on liberal values, and we have communicated to them that we will not be using any more from him. Thank you.

Hi Milo, we've been made aware of the contributor posts that stand completely at odds to the Observer's ethos as a leading voice on liberal values, and we have communicated to them that we will not be using any more from him. Thank you.

Sport | The Observer Independent journalism | News, culture & style | Investigations, analysis, features, ideas, recipes, newsletters & podcasts that make sense of the world

🏉 @jesshayden.bsky.social on 'pest' Henry Pollock...
Fanfare & Fanguish, edited by @morgankofori.bsky.social
🔴@xaviergreenwood.bsky.social on 20 years of the Glazers
🏏 @benbloomsport.bsky.social on IPL being plunged into darkness

Pick up a copy, and read online at observer.co.uk/collections/...

In today's @observeruk.bsky.social Sport...

🦊 @paulhayward.bsky.social on Jamie Vardy's Leicester farewell
🔵 Jessy PH on Chelsea's Invincibles and WSL TOTS
🇪🇺 @rorysmith.bsky.social on PL's European dominance
🏏 @zaltzcricket.bsky.social on Zak Crawley's England spot

Football’s ban on transgender women draws strong reaction.

Graphic from @ktriley.bsky.social and @chefboibex.bsky.social in today's @observeruk.bsky.social Sport.

Reporting: Jessy Parker Humphreys & Jess Hayden

📰 observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

What a use of the word boondoggle, by the way

Andy Payton: ‘Half my brain is damaged. It’s properly frightening’ Former Celtic and Burnley striker Andy Payton reveals he has dementia at just 57, and why he believes football is to blame

“My daughter came round the other night and asked me what I’d had for tea. I’d had my tea an hour ago, but I couldn’t remember.”

In today's @observeruk.bsky.social Sport, former Burnley striker Andy Payton reveals he has dementia at just 57.

✍️ Matt Hughes
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Fanfare and Fanguish is a new weekly fan-led feature in @observeruk.bsky.social showcasing the views of a supporter from every Premier League club.
Honoured to be editing this and many thanks to @mrabutler.bsky.social for the opportunity.

AND finally – a special Sunday LUNCHTIME edition Marathon picture special to go to runners/supporters in London this afternoon. Some shift.

And in the Marathon Supplement, writing from Ben Bloom, Jessy Parker Humphreys, Paul Hayward, Alastair Hignell, Sam Dalling, a Where's Wally-esque map, graphics from Katie Riley & Bex Sander.

Hope you enjoy, and do let me know what you think. Won't get everything right, etc.

Continued...
🚴‍♂️ Jeremy Whittle on Tadej Pogacar
🏎️ Matt Majendie on Lando Norris's headache

PLUS: Funfare & Fanguish from Morgan Ofori – a fan-led feature (that I'd love to hear from people on), and Puzzles...(!)

🔴 Rory Smith on Liverpool's *almost* title party
🏉 Jess Hayden on Women's 6 Nations marginal triumph
🏏 Jessy Parker Humphreys interviews Ebony Rainford-Brent
🔵 Paul Hayward on Man City's season salvage job
🏏 Dean Wilson on Surrey's hyperbaric chamber
🏏 Andy Zaltzman on Bazball

Some week on @theobserveruk.bsky.social
sports desk as we launched refreshed newspaper with a London Marathon supplement alongside sport section.

In the pages today... 🧵

The Observer has relaunched today under new ownership, staying true to its heritage.
Includes 20 pages of sport as well as a special London Marathon supplement.
Have a look. @observeruk.bsky.social

Welcome to the new Observer.

Tortoise Media is the proud new owner of the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper 🗞️

In print every Sunday, and now also digitally, seven days a week – with top investigations, analysis, features, ideas, newsletters and podcasts.

Sign up today: Observer.co.uk

The Observer

🗞️ Bit of work news – as of this week, I’ve moved into the role as acting deputy sports editor of The Observer.

It’s been great to build the team over the past months, and a privilege to work for such a prestigious outlet steeped in rich sporting history.

observer.co.uk

Such nice words for Football on Trial in the Project Brazen newsletter!

Listen to the first two eps on BBC Radio 5 Live at 7pm or catch the whole thing here now: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

@mrabutler.bsky.social @tortoisemedia.bsky.social

BBC Sounds - Football on Trial: The Manchester City Charges - Available Episodes Listen to the latest episodes of Football on Trial: The Manchester City Charges on BBC Sounds.

I spent countless childhood evenings listening to BBC Radio 5 Live in my mum’s car, so it’s a dream to have written this series for 5 Live about Man City. All four eps out on BBC Sounds and on the radio soon. Produced with @mrabutler.bsky.social & hosted by Clive Myrie.

@tortoisemedia.bsky.social

BBC Sounds - Football on Trial: The Manchester City Charges - Available Episodes Listen to the latest episodes of Football on Trial: The Manchester City Charges on BBC Sounds.

It's got some great Manchester nostalgia, explainers on the alleged rule breaking, how a whistleblower blew open the case, and even a mention of the Pope in amongst it all.

Hope you enjoy.

Full series on BBC Sounds: bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...
First 2 eps on Apple/Spotify: lnk.to/FOTTMCC