The Telegraph points out that the silence of Lineker and Neville regarding the financial charges against Manchester City reveals that British football podcast personalities remain reluctant to engage with significant controversies. 

Many former football stars who have transitioned into media figures champion their freedom of speech on new platforms, yet their collective silence on such a major event is truly puzzling.

"When I'm traveling around, interviewing top players and managers, uncovering the truth about how the football industry works, I want to take the fans on that journey with me, so they can see, touch, feel, and truly experience everything," said Rio Ferdinand in an interview with Boardroom last year. "You can do all these things in this era, which was unimaginable in the past."

After transitioning to podcasting, Lineker told the i newspaper: "I feel completely liberated. I no longer have to walk on eggshells or be overly cautious."

In 2024, Neville discussed TV punditry in an interview with The Drum: "At halftime, you only have four minutes, and that has to be split among three people. You're constantly constrained by time."

Yet this supposed freedom also allows podcast hosts to choose to remain silent and offer no substantial opinions.

Few would argue for more football commentary, but when the bombshell news broke last weekend that 114 of Manchester City's 115 Premier League charges were upheld, the absence of response was striking.

As of writing, leading podcast shows including "Stick to Football," "The Rest Is Football," "The Overlap," "The Good, The Bad & The Football," Rio Ferdinand's self-produced show, and "That Peter Crouch Podcast" have all remained silent on the matter.

Part of the reason is that it coincided with the international break, with many football industry professionals on holiday; for Neville, he may be in what he calls a "brief semi-retirement."

In contrast, YouTube personalities like Mark Goldbridge, Rory Jennings, and Arsenal fan channel AFTV, who are usually dismissed by mainstream media, have collectively produced six videos and two live streams since the news broke on Friday. Even traditional print media like this newspaper reacted faster than these first-tier pundit celebrities.

This would never happen in the United States. When major sports news breaks, well-known media personalities quickly launch "emergency podcasts." "Men In Blazers," hosted by Britons but based in the US, understands this dynamic well and released an episode on Friday specifically discussing the Manchester City charges.

This is not to disparage the professionalism of former players who have transitioned to podcasting. Neville, in particular, works with remarkable intensity; and Lineker, at 65, is fully entitled to express his views at his own pace. When they release their scheduled podcasts, the content will surely be worth listening to.

However, in the face of such a significant event, the collective silence of so many prominent voices in football is genuinely thought-provoking.

ITV's broadcast of the UEFA Nations League on Saturday evening filled this void. The main focus was the match between England and Spain, but the second commentary segment dedicated time to discuss the Manchester City case.

Wright spoke forcefully about the numerous historical violations allegedly committed by Manchester City; Keane's anger was scarcely less intense than his reaction to a Manchester United midfielder being slightly slow in pressing. Even a guest quipped about never having won the Premier League.

Perhaps answers will only come once the appeal process is fully completed.

As we look ahead, one cannot help but wonder whether the much-hyped podcast revolution will prove to be nothing more than a false dawn. It once promised audiences content on demand, live and direct, free from traditional gatekeepers. Logically, in the event of major breaking news, podcast hosts should be able to respond quickly. Yet these programs led by former players have failed to do so, reminding us that they are essentially entertainment products.

This incident also reflects a certain complacency in British football media. Public discourse is overly dominated by celebrity influence, with people assuming that the most famous former players always hold the most valid opinions. This system conflates popularity with expertise.

European broadcasters demonstrate a different model. Italian television debates politics vigorously, and French channels pursue intellectual discussions. Yet when major football events occur, they deploy seasoned professionals who spend hours meticulously analyzing matches and news.

Most British post-match shows need not be so elaborate, but there are moments—such as after a dramatic Champions League final or the biggest domestic football story in a decade—when British media should demonstrate greater rigor and responsiveness.

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