MatchWire is a non-profit football news wire that prioritises verification over speed. Our fact-checking policy ensures that every match report, data point and claim published on the site meets rigorous sourcing and corroboration standards before it reaches readers.
Scope of fact-checking
All content published on MatchWire — including match reports, previews, liveblogs, statistical data, historical records and editorial features — is subject to fact-checking before publication. The level of verification required depends on the nature of the claim being made.
Verification tiers
Our editorial team uses a tiered approach to sourcing and verification:
- Standard claims (match scores, fixture dates, competition rules, basic player statistics): verified against at least one official source — typically the relevant league or competition website, the club’s official channels, or a recognised data provider used by the industry.
- Stronger sourcing required (transfer negotiations, contract details, injury timelines): must be corroborated by two independent sources, at least one of which should be the club or player’s official representation, a direct quote from a club official, or a reputable wire service with a direct line to the source.
- High-bar claims (legal matters, disciplinary proceedings, personal or medical information about players or staff, allegations of misconduct): require direct official documentation, a formal statement from the relevant authority, or on-the-record attribution to a named individual with direct knowledge. Anonymous sourcing is not sufficient for these claims.
Match results and live data
Match scores, goal details, line-ups and red/yellow cards are checked against live feeds from multiple official sources before being included in any liveblog or match centre. Where there is a disagreement between sources, we do not publish the conflicting data point until we have confirmed the correct information via an official match delegate, competition app or the club’s match-day social media account. Retrospective match reports are verified against the official match report published by the governing body.
Transfers and rumours
Transfer rumours are never presented as confirmed news. Any item about a potential transfer is explicitly labelled as a rumour, speculation or report from another outlet, and the original source is clearly cited. Only transfers that have been officially announced by both clubs — or by the player’s current club with a statement of departure — will be published as confirmed. Deals that are reported as “imminent” or “agreed in principle” remain in the rumour category until official confirmation is received.
High-sensitivity claims
Claims that involve player welfare, criminal allegations, medical absences, contract disputes, or any personal matter are subject to additional review by our Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, Robert Kavanagh (robert.kavanagh@matchwire.org). In such cases, we require documentary evidence or a direct statement from an authoritative figure. We do not rely on speculation from fan forums, unofficial social media accounts, or third-party aggregation sites for these topics.
User-submitted corrections
Readers who believe they have found an error on MatchWire are encouraged to contact us via the dedicated factcheck@matchwire.org address. Each submission is reviewed by the Standards & Fact-Checking Lead within two working days. If the claim is verified as correct, the error is corrected promptly and a note is added to the article explaining the change. Submitters are not named without their explicit consent.
Retractions and corrections log
Significant corrections — those that materially change the meaning of an article — are recorded in our public corrections log, which is linked from the footer of every page. Minor factual corrections (e.g. a scoreline that was reversed, a spelling of a player’s name) are updated in the article without a log entry.
Editorial independence
MatchWire is operated as a non-profit news wire by Northgate Sports Publishing Ltd., a company registered in Ireland (registration number 712489). Our fact-checking process is entirely independent. No external organisation, advertiser or sponsor has influence over which claims are verified, how they are verified, or whether they are published.
Contact the fact-checking team
For any questions or to report a potential error, you can reach the Standards & Fact-Checking Lead directly:
| Role | Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standards & Fact-Checking Lead | Robert Kavanagh | robert.kavanagh@matchwire.org | +353 1 568 4424 |
You can also use the general fact-check address: factcheck@matchwire.org.