The Ghost Goal publishes reader-friendly commentary, explanations, and interpretation about football history, lore, tactical revolutions, transfer sagas, club rises and collapses. This page explains how the site approaches editorial review, sources, corrections, AI-assisted tools, images, advertising, and independence.
Editorial mission
The goal of The Ghost Goal is to help readers understand and enjoy football history, lore, tactical revolutions, transfer sagas, club rises and collapses without stripping away uncertainty or turning every story into a flat summary.
The site aims to separate three things whenever possible:
- Confirmed facts: details supported directly by primary records, official documents, reliable reporting, or widely accepted reference material.
- Reasonable interpretation: conclusions suggested by context, patterns, or expert discussion but not always stated directly.
- Speculation, legend, or theory: interesting readings that may be useful but should not be presented as settled fact.
Editorial review process
Before publication, articles are reviewed for readability, clarity, topic focus, and basic factual accuracy. The review process may include checking names, dates, event order, relationships, reported figures, source links, and whether claims are framed as fact, interpretation, or speculation.
Because the subjects covered here can be complex, mistakes can still happen. Readers are encouraged to submit corrections or source suggestions through the Contact page.
Sources and references
The Ghost Goal primarily relies on football history, match records, club materials, governing-body documents, reputable reporting, archival sources, and clearly attributed commentary. Where practical, key claims should be supported with source notes, links, named references, or enough context for readers to understand where the claim comes from.
The site is moving toward stronger source notes on important articles, especially high-traffic explainers and pieces involving contested claims. When exact certainty is not available, the article should say so rather than pretending the record is cleaner than it is.
Corrections policy
Correction requests should include the article URL, the specific sentence or claim at issue, and the source or reasoning behind the correction. Valid corrections may be handled by editing the text, adding clarification, updating a source note, or revising the framing of a claim.
Minor copy edits may be made silently. Substantive corrections should be reflected in the article where appropriate, especially if the original wording could mislead readers.
AI-assisted workflow disclosure
The Ghost Goal may use AI tools to help with topic research, outlines, draft structure, editing suggestions, headline ideas, image prompts, and production workflow. AI output is not treated as a source by itself. Claims should be checked against sources, records, or reliable references before publication.
The site should not knowingly publish invented quotations, fabricated sources, false citations, or AI-generated images presented as real documentary evidence.
Image-use policy
Generated or commissioned editorial images should avoid real club crests, sponsor marks, kit trademarks, photorealistic player or manager likenesses, and recreations of famous copyrighted photographs.
Images may be illustrative rather than documentary. Captions, alt text, and surrounding context should avoid implying that an illustrative image is a real photograph, official document, or exact historical record.
Independence and affiliation disclaimer
The Ghost Goal is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to FIFA, UEFA, any football association, league, club, broadcaster, player, agent, sponsor, or rights holder unless expressly stated.
Advertising and independence
The site may display advertising, affiliate links, or sponsorships in the future. Advertising relationships should not determine factual claims, correction decisions, or editorial conclusions. If paid or affiliate relationships are introduced, disclosures should be added where appropriate.
Contact
Corrections, rights concerns, and source suggestions can be sent to editorial@theghostgoal.com.