This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/mar/18/times-duped-hoax-qatar-dream-football-story
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Times 'duped' into printing hoax Qatar Dream Football League story | Times 'duped' into printing hoax Qatar Dream Football League story |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Times has admitted it was duped into publishing a hoax exclusive about plans for a Qatar-based Dream Football League, offering huge financial incentives to tempt Manchester United and other top Premier League sides to join, in an episode it described as a "journalistic nightmare". | The Times has admitted it was duped into publishing a hoax exclusive about plans for a Qatar-based Dream Football League, offering huge financial incentives to tempt Manchester United and other top Premier League sides to join, in an episode it described as a "journalistic nightmare". |
| In a column in Monday's paper, the Times's football editor, Tony Evans, conceded that it had missed warning signs about the story in the rush to publication. | In a column in Monday's paper, the Times's football editor, Tony Evans, conceded that it had missed warning signs about the story in the rush to publication. |
| Evans said the story now "appears to have been invented", but at the time "had just enough plausibility to be seductive". | Evans said the story now "appears to have been invented", but at the time "had just enough plausibility to be seductive". |
| An internal investigation by the paper's ombudsman revealed that the story, published on 13 March under the headline "Sheikhs shake world game", was based on an unreliable source and that other pre-publication checks were not sufficiently strident. | An internal investigation by the paper's ombudsman revealed that the story, published on 13 March under the headline "Sheikhs shake world game", was based on an unreliable source and that other pre-publication checks were not sufficiently strident. |
| The Times mounted a robust defence of the story last week when it was first called into question by a French satirical website, which claimed the scoop was entirely made up. | The Times mounted a robust defence of the story last week when it was first called into question by a French satirical website, which claimed the scoop was entirely made up. |
| But on Monday, the paper changed tack and admitted it had been "duped". | But on Monday, the paper changed tack and admitted it had been "duped". |
| Evans said in the column: "There are times when all you can do is admit you were wrong. Last week, Times football ran a story that we thought was a blockbuster. The state of Qatar was proposing a new summer tournament that would offer stunning financial rewards to the teams who participated. | Evans said in the column: "There are times when all you can do is admit you were wrong. Last week, Times football ran a story that we thought was a blockbuster. The state of Qatar was proposing a new summer tournament that would offer stunning financial rewards to the teams who participated. |
| "It was a horrible prospect that threatened to transform the sport but appeared to be a brilliant story. The Dream Football League (DFL) would turn into a journalistic nightmare." | "It was a horrible prospect that threatened to transform the sport but appeared to be a brilliant story. The Dream Football League (DFL) would turn into a journalistic nightmare." |
| He explained that Oliver Kay, the paper's chief football correspondent, whose byline appeared on the hoax story, had developed a relationship with a contact who appeared to be connected with the Qatari-ownership of Paris St Germain. Over the months, Kay's trust in this contact grew as he provided tipoffs which later turned out to be true. | He explained that Oliver Kay, the paper's chief football correspondent, whose byline appeared on the hoax story, had developed a relationship with a contact who appeared to be connected with the Qatari-ownership of Paris St Germain. Over the months, Kay's trust in this contact grew as he provided tipoffs which later turned out to be true. |
| Evans said Kay called some of the world's biggest football clubs to ascertain whether the latest tip – about the supposed Qatar dream league – was accurate. Some clubs made clear they had no knowledge of the idea, he explained, and others said they had. | Evans said Kay called some of the world's biggest football clubs to ascertain whether the latest tip – about the supposed Qatar dream league – was accurate. Some clubs made clear they had no knowledge of the idea, he explained, and others said they had. |
| He added: "These secondary sources treated the questions seriously. And here is where the Times made a massive mistake. Because so many significant people in football did not laugh off the idea, it seemed that the story could be genuine. | He added: "These secondary sources treated the questions seriously. And here is where the Times made a massive mistake. Because so many significant people in football did not laugh off the idea, it seemed that the story could be genuine. |
| "The warning signs – that no one had heard specific details of the DFL or seen its plans – were missed. In principle, the idea was possible. There were plenty to attest to that. | "The warning signs – that no one had heard specific details of the DFL or seen its plans – were missed. In principle, the idea was possible. There were plenty to attest to that. |
| "In reality, the story appears to have been invented and had just enough plausibility to be seductive." | "In reality, the story appears to have been invented and had just enough plausibility to be seductive." |
| Evans said the Times could have decided to "ride out the storm" in the absence of any demanded retractions or legal writs, but said: "We value our reputation. There will be changes now to the way we operate, and an extra level of scepticism will be incorporated into our working practices. | |
| "But one thing will not change. If we get it wrong, we will hold our hands up and admit it." | "But one thing will not change. If we get it wrong, we will hold our hands up and admit it." |
| In a statement on his Facebook page, Kay said it had been a "difficult week" and admitted that key aspects of the story were based on a contact whose credibility he "severely overestimated". | In a statement on his Facebook page, Kay said it had been a "difficult week" and admitted that key aspects of the story were based on a contact whose credibility he "severely overestimated". |
| Kay added: "I still can't fully work out how or why that happened. All I know is that, uncharacteristically, I let my guard down – and in doing so let down myself, my colleagues (not just at The Times but throughout the sportswriting community) and of course our readers, who rightly expect the highest standards of journalism." | Kay added: "I still can't fully work out how or why that happened. All I know is that, uncharacteristically, I let my guard down – and in doing so let down myself, my colleagues (not just at The Times but throughout the sportswriting community) and of course our readers, who rightly expect the highest standards of journalism." |
| • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@guardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication". | • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@guardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication". |
| • To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook. | • To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook. |