Whistleblowers

Daily Mail
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Whistleblowers is football’s most original new podcast - lifting the lid on the parts of the game no one else talks about. Hosted by Gordon Smart, with ex-elite referee Mark Clattenburg and veteran journalist Ian Ladyman, this isn’t another safe roundtable of punditry. It’s football told differently - with insight, authority, and plenty of laughs. From what really goes on in the referee’s room, to how clubs spin crises and who’s pulling the strings behind the scenes - Whistleblowers brings the inside stories only those at the heart of the game can tell. Players have had their say. Now, it’s time to hear from the people who actually know how football works. Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman Executive Producer: Jamie East Producer: Henry Williams Researcher: William Colledge Booker: Ashley Whitt Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini  A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Mark Clattenburg: The Brilliant Decision Not to Award Cody Gakpo a Penalty for Liverpool

    1 DAY AGO

    Mark Clattenburg: The Brilliant Decision Not to Award Cody Gakpo a Penalty for Liverpool

    This week on Whistleblowers, Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg, and Andy Dillon dissect what’s gone wrong at the London Stadium: from Nuno Espírito Santo’s baffling tactics to toxic ownership and the club’s post-European hangover. Clattenburg gives a masterclass on how referees really judge penalties, breaking down that controversial Liverpool vs Brentford moment - while Andy confesses he’s actually prayed West Ham wouldn’t score to hit his newspaper deadline Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman Producer: Henry Williams Assistant Producer: William Colledge Executive Producer: Jamie East Booker: Ashley Whitt Video Editor: Luke Shelley Content Editor: Joseph Palmer Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini  Social Handles: X: @blowerspod Instagram: whistleblowerspod TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  2. Mark Clattenburg: “VAR made referees lazy and killed football’s emotion”

    3 DAYS AGO

    Mark Clattenburg: “VAR made referees lazy and killed football’s emotion”

    This week, Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman go head-to-head over football’s newest idea - manager VAR cards, where coaches can challenge decisions from the touchline. Clattenburg believes it could bring back fairness and take ownership away from referees, while Ian calls it “a f***ing mess” that will only slow the game down.  Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman Producer: Henry Williams Assistant Producer: William Colledge Executive Producer: Jamie East Booker: Ashley Whitt Video Editor: Luke Shelley Content Editor: Joseph Palmer Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini  Social Handles: X: @blowerspod Instagram: whistleblowerspod TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min
  3. Inside Salah’s Slump and Slot’s Set Piece Solution

    23 OCT

    Inside Salah’s Slump and Slot’s Set Piece Solution

    This week on Whistleblowers, Gordon Smart, Ian Ladyman, and Mark Clattenburg are joined by Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele to pick apart Liverpool’s worst run in a decade. What’s happened to Mo Salah? Is Arne Slot already under pressure? And why does Virgil van Dijk suddenly look like a man out of answers? Clattenburg breaks down a landmark refereeing moment as a Premier League ref defies VAR, sparking a heated debate about how much power the video officials really have. The lads also dig into set-piece chaos, Liverpool’s defensive frailty, and whether we’re seeing a full-blown return to Tony Pulis–style football across the league. Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman Producer: Henry Williams Assistant Producer: William Colledge Executive Producer: Jamie East Booker: Ashley Whitt Video Editor: Luke Shelley Content Editor: Joseph Palmer Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini  Social Handles: X: @blowerspod Instagram: whistleblowerspod TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
  4. Mark Clattenburg Reveals The Story Behind His Infamous Tattoos

    21 OCT

    Mark Clattenburg Reveals The Story Behind His Infamous Tattoos

    This week on Whistleblowers, Felix White from The Maccabees joins Gordon Smart, Ian Ladyman and Mark Clattenburg for a conversation that moves from cricket and football to music, mental health and legacy. Felix opens up about the heartbreak of The Maccabees’ split, the pull of validation on social media and why modern sport misunderstands entertainment. Clattenburg reveals the real reason he tattooed every final he refereed, and how referees cope with pressure and abuse. Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman Producer: Henry Williams Assistant Producer: William Colledge Executive Producer: Jamie East Booker: Ashley Whitt Video Editor: Luke Shelley Content Editor: Joseph Palmer Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini  Social Handles: X: @blowerspod Instagram: whistleblowerspod TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
  5. Why England’s German Boss Might Actually Be Perfect

    16 OCT

    Why England’s German Boss Might Actually Be Perfect

    This week on Whistleblowers, the lads welcome rock and roll royalty as Felix White of The Maccabees joins Ian Ladyman, Mark Clattenburg and Gordon Smart to talk football, Fulham and the strange journey from indie gigs to Major League Baseball punditry. Felix explains how a sober American tour turned him into a baseball obsessive, while Clattenburg shares what it was like refereeing Brazil in front of 100,000 fans at the MCG. Ian delivers a brilliant assessment of Marco Silva, describing him as a “moaner” whose attitude somehow works perfectly at Fulham but might not elsewhere. The conversation moves through the quirks of Craven Cottage, the romance of the FA Cup, and why lower-league football feels more authentic than the Premier League. There’s a natter about whether any Premier League side could win a World Cup, and a revealing look at Gareth Southgate, England’s mentality and the curious difference between football and cricket fandom. Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman Producer: Henry Williams Executive Producer: Jamie East Researcher: William Colledge Booker: Ashley Whitt Video Editor: Luke Shelley Content Editor: Joseph Palmer Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini  Social Handles: X: @blowerspod Instagram: whistleblowerspod TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  6. Mark Clattenburg: The Match That Haunted Me for Years

    14 OCT

    Mark Clattenburg: The Match That Haunted Me for Years

    This week on Whistleblowers Bonus Ball, Gordon Smart, Ian Ladyman, and Mark Clattenburg tackle one of football’s longest-running debates - should the 3pm blackout finally be scrapped? The lads dive into the tug-of-war between tradition and modernisation: Ian defends the blackout as football’s last line of defence for live match culture, while Mark argues it’s outdated in an age of streaming, global fans, and shrinking attention spans. Then, Clattenburg opens up on the game that nearly broke him - the infamous Merseyside Derby where two red cards, a missed penalty, and years of abuse shaped his career. He also relives the chaos of The Battle of the Bridge, how he lost control, and why that night still gives him chills. Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman Producer: Henry Williams Executive Producer: Jamie East Researcher: William Colledge Booker: Ashley Whitt Video Editor: Luke Shelley Content Editor: Joseph Palmer Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini Social Handles: X: @blowerspod Instagram: whistleblowerspod TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min
  7. Is Mental Health Still a Taboo Topic in Football?

    9 OCT

    Is Mental Health Still a Taboo Topic in Football?

    Welcome back to Whistleblowers! From Russell Martin’s disastrous spell at Rangers - complete with self-help quotes, swimming sessions, and a police escort - to John Stones’ brutally honest admission that he almost retired, the lads dive deep into the state of modern football and what it really takes to survive it. Mark opens up about the mental toll of refereeing, revealing how online abuse once left him silent for days, while Ian explores how clubs like Brentford are leading a quiet revolution in mental health support for players. Elsewhere, the trio debate Stephen Gerrard’s shock confession that he hated playing for England, swap stories about Fergie time, exploding spray cans, and why Guinness in Dublin really does taste better. Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman Producer: Henry Williams Executive Producer: Jamie East Researcher: William Colledge Booker: Ashley Whitt Video Editor: Luke Shelley Content Editor: Joseph Palmer Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini  Social Handles: X: @blowerspod Instagram: whistleblowerspod TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
  8. Amy Winehouse, Gary Speed, Billy Vigar: Reporting on The Most Tragic Stories

    7 OCT

    Amy Winehouse, Gary Speed, Billy Vigar: Reporting on The Most Tragic Stories

    This week on Whistleblowers, Gordon Smart, Ian Ladyman, and Mark Clattenburg tackle the Premier League’s never-ending managerial merry-go-round - from Nuno and Potter to West Ham’s revolving door.  They debate data vs emotion in modern football, discuss empathy in refereeing, and reflect on the human side of journalism. Ian opens up about interviewing Gary Speed’s widow, while Gordon shares a powerful story from Amy Winehouse’s funeral - exploring how to balance truth, compassion, and responsibility in the job. Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman Producer: Henry Williams Executive Producer: Jamie East Researcher: William Colledge Booker: Ashley Whitt Video Editor: Luke Shelley Content Editor: Joseph Palmer Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini  Social Handles: X: @blowerspod Instagram: whistleblowerspod TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min
See All (44)

Hosts & Guests

About

Whistleblowers is football’s most original new podcast - lifting the lid on the parts of the game no one else talks about. Hosted by Gordon Smart, with ex-elite referee Mark Clattenburg and veteran journalist Ian Ladyman, this isn’t another safe roundtable of punditry. It’s football told differently - with insight, authority, and plenty of laughs. From what really goes on in the referee’s room, to how clubs spin crises and who’s pulling the strings behind the scenes - Whistleblowers brings the inside stories only those at the heart of the game can tell. Players have had their say. Now, it’s time to hear from the people who actually know how football works. Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman Executive Producer: Jamie East Producer: Henry Williams Researcher: William Colledge Booker: Ashley Whitt Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini  A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Channel
    Daily Mail
  • Creator
    Daily Mail
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Daily Mail
  • Show Website
    Whistleblowers

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