Paul Simpson
@paulsimpsonjourno
Journalist, author, editor
If Gianni Infantino has a portrait in the attic it would probably look much like this…
Infantino’s former senior adviser proves thatsomeone at FIFA had a conscience. Over to Arsene Wenger now, once a fierce critic of financial doping in football. As an educated man, he will recall Dante’s remark that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in a crisis.
In Infantino world, the 2026 World Cup was a greater “human event” than the end of World War II, the Renaissance and the invention of the wheel. Words fail me as, once again, they have failed him. I particularly like the fact that he seems to think ‘witnessed’ and ‘seen’ mean different things.
Do you ever worry that you’re not practically perfect in every way? Fear not, L’Oréal has you covered as long as you can afford this remedy…
The editorial format for definitely ranking things (ie according to the author’s own preferences) has now spread from books, movies and music to … err, fish.
The Harpole Report, JL Carr’s hilarious novel about a stand-in headmaster, is a useful reminder, in an age where even keeping a weather eye on the news amounts to the serial discovery of fresh hells, of the morale-boosting virtue of the light novel. Publishers please take note.
This is what happens when you lock yourself into to your own echo chamber.
Every journalist should read David Remnick’s book, no matter what they’re writing about or how experienced they are. The breadth, depth and craft of his journalism is astounding, intimidating - and inspirational.
Unearthed on this week’s charity book shift: Jilly Cooper’s take on the beautiful game, with title, illustration and tag line inspired by the @PrivateEyeNews legendary tabloid columnist Glenda Slag.
First we take Romania, then we take Spain. My book The Colour Code is now available in an eclectic set of foreign editions: Romania, Thailand and now Spain, with a different, and brilliant selection of images. Bravo!
I can see why the BBC has taken this decision but why don’t they apply the same logic to Kwasi Karteng?
The Mirror cuts to the heart of the matter in its now inimitable style…
Thought you’d enjoy this - although you probably already know it.
Gold standard slop. BBC Countryfile asks how two questions about Shakespeare was and concludes, rather anti-climactically, that a) we don’t know and b) probably not because someone would have said. A strange, and irrelevant, story.
Business as usual at today’s Daily Mail. ‘Unrivalled reports and analysis’ about why Starmer is to blame for EVERYTHING.
Discovered this great statue in Kingston yesterday, promoting a great cause: lovethelast.com
Christmas is coming but it’s not too late to add some colour to your life and discover in which Midlands city the phrase ‘true blue’ might have originated…
This story would be so much more intriguing if it was Paul Merson revealing what he really thinks about Ian Hislop.
Is it just me or does this photo make Tuchel look like a smug Bond villain? I can almost hear him saying “I’ve been expecting you Mr Bond”
This is exactly what the strap says: classic history, brilliantly told and reasoned by Hugh Ross Williamson. The solution to the man in the iron mask mystery is particularly ingenious and convincing.
“I do not think I have ever seen a prettier or more effective demonstration of heading, in relation to team work, than that given by the Chinese nation team that played Islington Corinthians a few years ago.” Fascinating snippet from Denis Compton’s book.
Why does Trump think Putin has all the cards? Possibly because he gave them all to him?
‘News’ from the Scottish Daily Record about Rasputin. Must admit I’d been wondering what he’d been up to lately.
I always try and read something in memory of the fallen around this time of year and Nicholas Murray’s book on the World War I poets is moving, nuanced and brilliant.