The Telegraph points out that Lineker and Neville's silence on the financial allegations levelled at Manchester City reveals how England's football podcast industry still clings to old patterns. Many former footballers who have transitioned into thought leaders often champion free speech on new platforms, yet the fact that numerous prominent figures in football have stayed silent on such a significant event is genuinely thought-provoking.

"When I travel to interview top players and coaches and uncover how the football industry works, I'm taking fans on that journey with me. I let them see, experience, and feel everything first-hand," said Rio Ferdinand, a podcaster keen to share his insights during an interview with Boardroom last year. "You can do anything in today's world, which would have been unthinkable in the past."

After transitioning to podcasting, Lineker told the i newspaper: "I feel completely free. I don't have to tread carefully or think through every step anymore."

In 2024, Neville discussed his television commentary role in an interview with The Drum, saying: "During half-time, you have only four minutes and must share them among three people. You're always constrained by time."

Yet this so-called freedom has allowed podcast hosts to choose silence and refrain from offering substantive commentary.

Few would object to more football analysis, but this peculiar situation emerged following shocking news last weekend that 114 of Manchester City's 115 alleged Premier League rule breaches have been confirmed.

At the time of writing, leading podcasts such as "Stick to Football," "The Rest Is Football," "The Overlap," "The Good, The Bad & The Football," Rio Ferdinand's own production, and "That Peter Crouch Podcast" have all remained silent on the matter.

Part of this is due to the international break, which has left many football experts on holiday. Neville may also be in what he calls "temporary semi-retirement."

By contrast, local YouTube personalities often mocked—such as Mark Goldbridge, Rory Jennings, and Arsenal Fan TV (AFTV)—have collectively produced six videos and livestreamed twice since the news broke on Friday. Even traditional media outlets like this newspaper have responded faster than the top-tier punditry class.

This would never happen in America. When major sports news breaks, prominent broadcasters rapidly launch numerous "emergency podcasts." "Men In Blazers," run by Englishmen but based in the United States, understands this local logic well and released a special episode on Friday to discuss Manchester City's charges specifically.

This is not a slight on the dedication of former footballers turned podcasters, particularly Neville, who has a workload equivalent to eight people, or Lineker, now 65, who is entirely entitled to share his views at his own pace. When their scheduled podcasts are updated, the content will undoubtedly remain worth listening to.

However, when confronted with an event of this magnitude, the silence of so many important voices in football is genuinely thought-provoking.

ITV's coverage of the UEFA Nations League on Saturday night filled a gap in this public discussion. Though the primary focus was England versus Spain, the second-half analysis devoted specific time to Manchester City's case.

Wright spoke of the historical regret stemming from Manchester City's serious rule breaches, while Keane's anger was no more intense than his reaction when Manchester United's midfield moved slowly on the press. Maguire joked: "I never won a Premier League title... or did I?"

Perhaps we'll have an answer for him only after the appeals process concludes, likely in 2039.

As 2026 approaches, it's hard not to imagine that this much-lauded podcast revolution could become a disappointing false start. It promised on-demand content for viewers, live and direct broadcasts, free access, and no annoying intermediaries. Even "News at Ten" has embraced online interviews via webcam. Logically, when major events occur, podcast hosts should respond quickly, yet these shows, led by former footballers, cannot. This is a reminder that they are part of the entertainment industry first.

This also reflects a broader trend of celebrity capture in English football culture that permeates football media. The public sphere is dominated excessively by celebrity influence, and people dogmatically believe that the most famous ex-footballers invariably have the most correct opinions. This system creates confusion, using fame as a measure of ability.

If you've watched major football matches on European television, you'll see an entirely different pattern. People might imagine Italians debating politics all night on Rai Uno, or French TV broadcasting only Sartre discussions or obscure art-house films. Yet whenever necessary, they are exceptionally rigorous with football content: seasoned experts spend hours meticulously analysing matches and major news stories.

Most British "Super Sunday" post-match shows need not be that thorough, but English media does occasionally have gaps in coverage—for instance, after a thrilling Champions League final, or when faced with the biggest domestic football story in a decade.

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