OneFootball Editorial Policy

Accuracy, AI Use and Editorial Standards

At OneFootball, we are committed to football journalism that is reliable, transparent and useful for football fans around the world. We are a football content platform that predominantly distributes third-party partner content natively, which is complemented with OneFootball Editorial Content originally created by our in-house teams. Whether we cover breaking or daily news, matches, transfers, write analysis or feature stories, our goal is to display and publish content that meets high editorial standards and earns the trust of our audience every day.

Football moves fast. Trust matters even more because of that. Our editorial approach is built around verification, responsible use of technology, human oversight and clear accountability.

1. Third-Party Partner Content

OneFootball as a content platform works with external partners who publish content directly to our platform through native delivery integrations. Responsibility for the original accuracy of that content remains with the respective publishing partner.

While OneFootball is not the originating publisher of such partner content, we take content quality seriously across the platform. We maintain close working relationships with our partners and have processes in place to reduce the risk of inaccuracies, improve quality control and address errors when they are identified.

Where issues are reported or detected, we work with partners to review, update or correct the affected content as quickly as possible. This collaborative approach helps us maintain a reliable experience for users while respecting the editorial ownership of our partners.

2. Accuracy and Verification

Correct information is the foundation of our editorial work. Articles, updates and published assets must be checked frequently as thoroughly as the format and timing allow.

Our teams aim to confirm:

  • facts, names, dates and competition details

  • scores, results, fixtures, standings and player information

  • quotes, statements and source attributions

  • statistics and background context

We prioritise credible and traceable sources, including:

  • official club, league, federation and tournament communications

  • direct interviews and press conferences

  • trusted wire services and rights-holding partners

  • reputable media outlets with a strong record of accuracy

  • verified data providers and official match information

We do not knowingly publish invented claims, fabricated quotes, false statistics or misleading source references. Information that cannot be confirmed to an acceptable editorial standard should not be presented as fact and always be connected with a source naming.

When information is still developing, we make that clear. When reporting on speculation, rumors or emerging stories, we label them appropriately and avoid overstating certainty.

3. Football Reporting Standards

Because OneFootball serves content as a platform to a global football audience, accuracy in football-specific reporting is especially important.

This includes care around:

  • transfer reporting and rumor aggregation

  • injury and squad availability updates

  • live match incidents and fast-moving breaking news

  • competition rules, disciplinary matters and officiating decisions

  • translations of statements from clubs, coaches, players and federations

Rumors, transfer interest and unconfirmed reports are not treated as established fact. We distinguish between:

  • confirmed news

  • credible reporting from external sources

  • market speculation or early-stage reporting

Where appropriate, we identify the origin of the information so readers can understand its status and context.

4. Human Responsibility for Published Content

Technology can support editorial work, but editorial accountability always remains with people.

Where appropriate human editors remain responsible for:

  • judging newsworthiness

  • checking factual accuracy

  • reviewing wording and context

  • ensuring fairness and clarity

  • approving final publication for Original content

AI tools may assist parts of the workflow, but they do not replace editorial judgment.

5. Responsible Use of AI

OneFootball may use AI-supported tools to improve speed, scale and efficiency in selected parts of the content process. These tools are designed to support our teams, not to replace editorial standards.

AI may be used for tasks such as:

  • transcription support

  • language assistance and translation support

  • summarisation of source material

  • headline, SEO title and metadata drafting

  • text structuring or formatting support

  • support in templated or data-led content production

AI must not be used to:

  • invent facts, quotes, results or statistics

  • create fake sources or false attribution

  • present assumptions as verified reporting

  • misrepresent events, people or outcomes

AI-assisted output intended for publication is subject to human review and, where needed, rewriting, verification and approval before it goes live.

6. AI and Fact Correctness

Accuracy standards apply equally to manually written and AI-assisted content. Editors are expected to challenge, verify and correct AI-assisted material.

This is especially important in football journalism, where errors can spread quickly around:

  • transfer news

  • player availability

  • match facts

  • competition regulations

  • translated statements

  • historical comparisons and statistics

If an AI-supported process cannot meet our verification standards for a given use case, that process should not be used for publication.

7. Language, Clarity and Readability

We aim to publish journalism that is easy to understand, precise and engaging for a broad football audience.

Our content should be:

  • clear without being simplistic

  • confident without exaggeration

  • energetic without becoming sensational

  • accessible to international readers

We prefer direct language, strong structure and concise paragraphs. Technical terms, tactical language or competition-specific references should be explained when needed. We avoid unnecessary jargon and do not use misleading or exaggerated wording simply to drive clicks.

Headlines, push texts, summaries and social copy must reflect the actual substance of the story.

8. Editorial Independence and Ethics

Trust depends on clear editorial boundaries. OneFootball expects original work, fair attribution and transparency in all areas of publishing.

We do not accept:

  • plagiarism

  • hidden sponsorship

  • manipulated sourcing

  • undisclosed conflicts of interest

Commercial partnerships, sponsored formats and branded content must be clearly identified. Editorial decisions should not be distorted by undisclosed outside influence.

We also respect legal, contractual and professional obligations, including embargoes, licensing restrictions and confidentiality commitments where applicable.

9. Fairness, Inclusion and Respect

Football is global, diverse and deeply cultural. Our editorial output should reflect that responsibly.

We strive to use language that is respectful, inclusive and accurate. We aim to avoid stereotypes, unnecessary bias and reductive framing. Coverage should reflect the breadth of the football world across leagues, regions, communities and perspectives.

This does not require neutralising strong reporting. It requires reporting with care, context and fairness.

10. Corrections and Updates

Even with strong editorial processes, mistakes can happen. When they do, we correct them clearly and without delay. Where issues with third-party partners content are reported or detected, we work with partners to review, update or correct the affected content as quickly as possible. This collaborative approach helps us maintain a reliable experience for users while respecting the editorial ownership of our partners.

Corrections may include:

  • factual fixes

  • clarifications

  • updated context in fast-moving stories

  • headline changes where wording created a false impression

We take credible reader feedback seriously and review reported issues promptly.

11. Editorial Review Process

OneFootball as a content platform works with external partners who publish content directly to our platform through native delivery integrations. Responsibility for the original accuracy of that content remains with the respective publishing partner. Before publication of our in-house content, it may go through several layers of review depending on format, timing and risk level.

These stages can include:

  • editorial commissioning or assignment

  • structural review

  • fact-checking and sourcing review

  • language and style editing

  • final publication approval

For fast-moving live coverage or short-form publishing, the workflow may be leaner, but accuracy and accountability still apply.

Editors also review whether:

  • the headline is accurate and not misleading

  • the framing matches the evidence in the story

  • visuals support the reporting appropriately

  • source attribution is sufficient

  • the piece meets OneFootball’s tone and quality standards

12. Images, Video and Visual Integrity

Visual elements must support understanding, not distort it.

Photos, graphics, clips and other media used by OneFootball are properly licensed, sourced or otherwise cleared for editorial use. We do not use visuals in a way that materially misleads the audience about what happened.

If AI-generated visuals are ever used in editorial environments, they should be applied only under clear internal standards, reviewed by editors and labeled where appropriate. AI visuals must never be used in a way that causes readers to mistake generated imagery for authentic documentary material.

13. Digital Publishing Standards

OneFootball publishes for digital audiences across app, web and other platforms. Editorial quality includes usability as well as accuracy.

We aim to ensure published content is:

  • mobile-friendly

  • easy to scan and navigate

  • clearly structured

  • optimised for search and discovery without becoming misleading

  • accessible through good formatting and appropriate text alternatives where relevant

SEO, metadata and platform optimisation are intended to improve discoverability, not to distort editorial meaning.

14. Our Approach to Trust

OneFootball’s editorial mission is to inform and serve football fans with content they can rely on. Speed matters in football media, but speed does not excuse avoidable errors. Innovation matters too, but innovation does not remove human responsibility.

We will continue to use technology where it improves workflows and helps our teams do better journalism. We will also continue to apply human judgment, verification and editorial care to the content we publish.

Questions or Feedback

If you believe a published item contains an error, requires clarification or raises an editorial concern, please contact OneFootball through the appropriate support or contact channels listed on our website.

https://company.onefootball.com/contact/