Editorial policy · how the desk works, and where it does not
A working description of how the editorial desk operates — sources, review, corrections, conflicts of interest, and the small things we choose not to do.
How a published article gets there
Source note
Every article names its sources. A press conference, a training update, an official injury report, a venue note — the source is named in the byline or at the foot of the article.
Two-person review
Every published article passes through a second desk reader. The reviewer checks sources, timestamps and the language used to describe uncertainty.
Update in place
When team news changes, we update the original article and timestamp the change. We do not publish a new article that hides the previous version.
Corrections are linked
If a fact is wrong, the correction is named at the top of the article with the date and the reason. We do not delete errors silently.
What counts as a reliable source
Primary sources
A press conference, an official team statement, an official match centre, a regulator’s published notice, a verified social media post from an official account. Primary sources are cited by name.
Secondary sources
A reputable news outlet reporting a primary event, a stat provider with a named methodology, a venue’s published pitch note. Secondary sources are cited and the underlying primary event is named where possible.
What we do not use
Anonymous social media posts, unverified rumours, second-hand reporting where the primary source is not named, and stat projections that cannot be reproduced from the underlying data.
What we name and what we do not do
What we name
If an editor or contributor has a personal financial relationship with a platform or a player, the relationship is disclosed in the byline. The disclosure is permanent.
What we do not do
We do not accept payment for editorial coverage. We do not accept free contest entries from a platform in exchange for coverage. We do not run paid placements.
What we do for sponsored content
Sponsored content is clearly disclosed at the top of the article. The disclosure is permanent and visible. The editorial standards are the same as for non-sponsored content.
The corrections log
If a published article contains an error, the correction is named at the top of the article with the date and the reason. The original article remains in place, with the correction note. The corrections log is a permanent record of what was wrong and when it was fixed.
What readers ask about the editorial policy
Do you accept story tips?
Yes. Email [email protected] with the tip. The desk triages tips within 24–48 hours. Anonymous tips are accepted if the source is credible.
How do I report an error?
Email [email protected] with the article URL and the suspected error. The desk reviews the report and, if confirmed, publishes a correction within 24–48 hours.
What about a story you will not cover?
We do not cover rumours that cannot be verified, allegations without a primary source, or stories that would put a source at risk. We explain the gap in the editorial policy rather than publish a thin piece.
What about a story you got wrong?
The correction is named at the top of the article. The original article remains in place. The corrections log lists every correction with the date and the reason.