Fact-Checking Policy

FootyPedia.org is committed to providing verified, accurate and well-sourced football information. This policy explains how we check facts, the sourcing standards we apply to different types of claims, and how we handle user-submitted corrections.

How facts are checked

Every article, profile or reference entry published on FootyPedia.org is subject to multi-stage fact-checking before and after publication. Our editorial team cross-references all factual claims against at least two independent, reliable sources, with priority given to official club and league sources, match reports from recognised media, and publicly-available statistical databases such as league websites or official match logs.

Facts are checked at the following stages:

• Pre-publication verification: Before any content is published, a dedicated fact-checker reviews claims and confirms the supporting sources.
• Post-publication auditing: Existing content is periodically reviewed, particularly ahead of transfer windows, major tournaments and season updates.
• User-driven review: Every user-submitted correction triggers a full re-verification of the affected facts (see Corrections Policy).

What claims require stronger sourcing

We apply higher sourcing thresholds to claims that carry greater reputational or personal consequences. These include:

• Injury details, duration and severity
• Disciplinary actions by governing bodies
• Legal proceedings or investigations involving players, clubs or officials
• Personal or family-related disclosures
• Financial figures, transfer fees and contract terms (unless officially confirmed)
• Historical records where official documentation may be incomplete

For claims in these categories, we require: (a) a primary source such as an official club, league or governing body statement, or a direct quote from authorised representatives; and (b) at least one additional independent source that corroborates the claim.

Player and public-figure information

Biographical information about players, managers and officials — including names, dates of birth, career paths, club histories, appearances and goals — is verified against multiple databases and official club records. For any figure listed on FootyPedia.org, we maintain a source history that can be audited on request. Discrepancies between sources are noted and resolved through consultation with official registries where possible.

Specific data types: dates, names, clubs, transfers, competition records, trophies, appearances, goals, injuries and disciplinary claims

Each data type is subject to a standard verification protocol:

• Dates and names: Cross-referenced against official match programmes, league registries and governing body records.
• Clubs and transfers: Transfers are only listed as confirmed after an official club announcement or a statement from a recognised league authority. Transfer rumours are never presented as confirmed facts (see below).
• Competition records: Match results, group standings, round progressions and winners are checked against the competition’s own official records.
• Trophies and honours: Confirmed by multiple sources, with preference given to club histories and trophy presentations documented by broadcast footage or press releases.
• Appearances and goals: Sourced from official league or club data feeds wherever available. Crowd-sourced databases are used only as secondary checks and are never treated as definitive.
• Injuries: Only reported when confirmed by a club medical update, a manager press conference quote, or a reliable journalist with a proven track record covering the club. Speculative injury timelines are avoided.
• Disciplinary claims: Yellow/red cards, suspensions and fines are cross-checked against official referee reports and competition disciplinary records.

Transfer rumours and unconfirmed speculation

FootyPedia.org does not present transfer rumours as confirmed facts. Any content discussing potential moves is clearly labelled as “rumour” or “speculation” and is attributed to named sources where possible. We will not create a profile or record for a player at a club until the transfer is officially confirmed by one of the parties involved. Aggregated rumour content is placed in a separate editorial section and is clearly distinguished from verified reference content.

Injury, legal, disciplinary and personal claims

Claims relating to injuries, legal matters, disciplinary proceedings and personal lives of players, staff or officials require the strongest possible sourcing. These will not be published unless:

• They are based on official statements from the club, league, or a recognised governing body; or
• They are reported by at least two independent, reputable news organisations with a history of accuracy in football reporting; and
• The editorial team identifies no conflict of interest or motivation that would undermine the reliability of the source.

User-submitted corrections

We encourage readers to report any inaccuracies they find. All user-submitted corrections are reviewed by an editor within five business days. Each correction is investigated against the sourcing archive and, if confirmed as valid, the record is updated and a note is added to the article acknowledging the correction. See our full Corrections Policy for details on how to submit a correction and what happens after.