Questions swirl around Inter Miami’s decision not to credential journalist Franco Panizo

Since its inaugural 2020 season, there hasn’t been an Inter Miami CF home match that journalist Franco Panizo wasn’t credentialed for. Until now. 

Panizo, a veteran soccer reporter who has covered the sport for The Athletic and The Sun Sentinel and now runs the Miami Total Futbol newsletter and writes for FourFourTwo, said on X Friday that for the first time ever, the club had denied his request for a credential to cover a home game.

“After six seasons of attending every Inter Miami home match, my streak comes to an end this weekend. My credential for Saturday’s match was not approved,” he wrote. “I’ll still be following closely.”

When asked if Inter Miami had provided him with a reason for the decision, he said, “I have asked for clarification and haven’t received it.”

Making the decision even more confusing, fellow soccer journalist Laurel Pfahler noted that Panizo had previously “received a plaque from the club for perfect attendance as a credentialed media member.”

Many of Panizo’s local peers and contemporaries appear to have had their credentials for the game approved.

Inter hosts Austin FC at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Nu Stadium in Miami. This will be the club’s first match at their brand-new, 26,700-seat soccer-specific venue. Panizo has been allowed inside recently to cover its construction and impending opening. The club reportedly received a large number of requests for press credentials, given the importance of the event and the club’s international appeal thanks to superstar Lionel Messi, but no details on its decision-making process have been provided.

The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) released a statement on Saturday on Panizo’s behalf, saying that while they respect clubs’ right to decide who has access, they should reconsider the situation.

A statement from the NASR regarding the denial of @FrancoPanizo for a credential for @InterMiamiCF‘s Nu Stadium opener.

The NASR stands with local journalists and believes deeply in clubs and those journalists fostering a positive working relationship and mutual respect. pic.twitter.com/6yBmzeLoGD

— North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) (@SoccerReporters) April 4, 2026

“Ultimately, access is decided by clubs, a fact that we at the North American Soccer Reporters embrace and respect. Inter Miami reports receiving over 500 access requests for the inaugural Nu Stadium match, and the club’s decision as to who received a credential was undoubtedly difficult.

“Some credentialing decisions, though, are simple. A soccer match in South Florida without Franco Panizo is a rare thing. A South Florida soccer match in Miami intending to make history without Franco Panizo? That simply misses the mark.

“The North American Soccer Reporters strongly urge Inter Miami to reconsider their denial of Mr. Panizo’s credential. The city of Miami and this historic moment merit his coverage and a club that behaves better in its biggest moments.”

It is certainly within Inter Miami’s right to assign press credentials as they wish, but it does appear they are sending a message, intentionally or not, to Panizo. If there is intent to impact his coverage of the club through this denial, one imagines that will not be the case.