Last Updated: June 26, 2026
Accuracy is the foundation of everything we publish at FutbolUpdate.
Football moves fast, squads change, transfers collapse, and statistics accumulate by the minute, and we are committed to verifying the information we publish before it reaches our readers.
This Fact-Checking Policy explains exactly how we approach verification across different types of content.
This policy should be read alongside our Editorial Policy and Corrections Policy. If you believe we have published something inaccurate, please visit our Contact page.
Our Commitment to Accuracy
FutbolUpdate does not publish claims we cannot substantiate. Before any factual assertion appears in a published article, whether it concerns a player’s transfer fee, a manager’s win percentage, or a nation’s World Cup history, our editorial team takes steps to verify that claim against a reliable source.
We hold this standard across all content types, including news reports, long-form features, statistical breakdowns, and historical records.
We acknowledge that errors can still occur despite careful verification. When they do, we correct them promptly and transparently in accordance with our Corrections Policy.
Fact-Checking Process
Step 1 — Identify the Claim
Every factual claim in a draft article is identified before publication. This includes statistics, historical records, quotes, transfer figures, squad details, match results, dates, and biographical information about players, managers, and clubs.
Step 2 — Locate a Primary Source
Where possible, every claim is verified against a primary source defined as an official club announcement, governing body record, official competition database, or a direct verified quote from the subject.
Secondary sources are used only when a primary source is unavailable and are clearly attributed.
Step 3 — Cross-Reference Where Necessary
For statistical claims, historical records, or contested information, we cross-reference at least two independent sources before publishing. Where sources conflict, we note the discrepancy within the article rather than arbitrarily selecting one figure.
Step 4 — Human Editorial Review
All content undergoes human editorial review before publication. Our editors read for factual accuracy as well as clarity and tone.
AI-assisted drafts are subject to the same review process as human-written content. No article is published from an AI tool without a human editor checking every factual claim.
Statistics Verification
Football statistics are central to much of what we publish, from player performance analysis to all-time records and tournament histories. Our approach to statistical verification is as follows:
- Match statistics are sourced from official competition records or established sports data providers. We do not rely on unofficial fan-compiled databases for definitive statistical claims.
- Transfer fees are verified against credible journalist reporting or official club confirmations where available. Fees reported as undisclosed are noted as such; we do not speculate on undisclosed figures.
- Historical records — such as all-time goal tallies, appearance records, and trophy counts — are cross-referenced against official club or competition records. Where historical data is genuinely disputed among authoritative sources, we acknowledge that dispute in the article.
- Player biographical data — including dates of birth, nationalities, and career timelines — is verified against official club profiles or established football reference databases.
Transfer News Verification
Transfer reporting requires a distinct verification approach given its inherently speculative nature. FutbolUpdate applies the following standards specifically to transfer content:
- We only report a transfer as confirmed when it has been officially announced by the selling club, buying club, or the player themselves through verified channels.
- Reports attributed to journalists or outlets are presented as such, with the original source credited. We do not strip attribution and present another outlet’s scoop as our own.
- Transfer fee figures are described as “reported” unless officially confirmed. We note the source of any reported figure.
- Transfer articles are updated with new developments as they emerge, including if a deal falls through.
Quotes and Attribution
Direct quotes published on FutbolUpdate are sourced from press conferences, post-match interviews, official club communications, or verified social media posts from the individual being quoted.
We do not paraphrase a statement and present it as a direct quote. Where a quote has been translated from another language, we note this within the article.
We do not publish anonymous quotes as central factual claims. Unverified or anonymous sourcing may appear in speculative transfer coverage but is clearly labelled as unconfirmed.
AI-Assisted Research and Fact-Checking
FutbolUpdate uses AI tools to assist with research, including surfacing relevant data and historical information during the drafting process.
However, we do not treat AI-generated outputs as primary sources. Any fact, statistic, or claim produced by an AI tool is independently verified by a human editor against a reliable external source before inclusion in a published article.
AI tools are used to support our editors, not to replace the verification process.
Pre-Publication Checklist
Before any article is published on FutbolUpdate, our editorial team works through the following checks:
- All statistics are sourced and attributed
- All transfer claims reflect their appropriate confirmation status
- All direct quotes are sourced from a verified original
- Historical records have been cross-referenced
- Player and club details (names, nationalities, current teams) are current and accurate
- Any AI-assisted content has been reviewed for factual accuracy by a human editor
Reporting an Inaccuracy
If you believe any content on FutbolUpdate contains a factual error, we want to know. Our readers are part of our quality control process, and we take every credible correction seriously.
Please contact us at support@futbolupdate.com with the article URL, the specific claim you believe is inaccurate, and the source you are referencing. We aim to review all correction requests within three business days.
For details on how corrections are handled once confirmed, please read our Corrections Policy.
