Robert Moreno and ChatGPT: the complete timeline of a hoax that became world news
Facts, sources and official denials of a lie manufactured in three steps
In January 2026, a story went viral around the world: «A football coach was fired for using ChatGPT to prepare matches and line-ups.» That story was about me.
The problem is that it is completely false. And it’s not just me saying this: the data, the dates, the Russian media where the events took place, and a direct witness who was in the dressing room with me all confirm it.
This article presents the complete timeline, verifiable facts and published denials. Any serious journalist can check every piece of data presented here.
Who I am: necessary context
My name is Robert Moreno. I am a football coach with a UEFA Pro licence — the highest international coaching qualification. My career includes:
- 🇪🇸 Spain National Team Head Coach (2019): unbeaten Euro 2020 qualification (7W-2D).
- 🇲🇨 AS Monaco (Ligue 1): developed Tchouaméni and Fofana.
- 🇪🇸 Granada CF (LaLiga): Spanish top flight.
- 🇪🇸 FC Barcelona (assistant coach): 9 titles, including the 2015 Champions League.
- 🇷🇺 PFC Sochi: achieved promotion to the Russian Premier League in May 2025.
My relationship with technology didn’t start with ChatGPT. I began analysing football with video at age 14, when nobody was doing it in Spain.
Anatomy of a lie: how the story was fabricated
The story was constructed in three steps that anyone can verify.
Step 1: A disgruntled former executive speaks seven months later
The former sporting director of FK Sochi gave an interview to Sport24.ru in January 2026.
Key fact: this former executive left the club on 30 June 2025. I left on 2 September 2025. He was not a witness to my departure because he was no longer there.
The original Russian article never says I was fired for using ChatGPT. That causal relationship does not exist in the source.
Step 2: A US media outlet invents a headline
beIN Sports USA picked up the story and changed the headline:
From «Former Sochi coach regularly used neural networks» to: «Fired for using ChatGPT».
That transformation is an editorial invention.
Step 3: The snowball effect
Reddit → viral meme → outlets in English, Arabic, French and Spanish copy without verification.
None of them read the original Russian article. None of them contacted me.
What actually happened at FK Sochi
| Date | Fact |
|---|---|
| 2023 | I accepted the project. The team was in a low position. |
| May 2024 | My contract was renewed until 2027. |
| May 2025 | I achieved promotion to the Russian Premier League. |
| Summer 2025 | The club’s management structure changed. |
| 2 Sep 2025 | I left by mutual agreement after a difficult start in the top division. |
They hired me. They renewed me. I got the team promoted. We parted ways over results. ChatGPT played no part in that decision.
The arguments that fall apart
«ChatGPT chose a striker who didn’t score»
Actual data (Transfermarkt): 13 matches, 2 goals, 2 assists in the league + 2 goals in the Russian Cup. The former sporting director himself signed off on the loan.
«28 hours without sleep before a match»
Khabarovsk is 7 time zones from Sochi. I consulted sports chronobiology specialists to manage jet lag. Standard elite practice. Result: we won 1-0.
My own words on Russian television
MatchTV — Russia’s main sports channel — interviewed me directly. Watch the full interview with Spanish subtitles here.
«Saying that ChatGPT determines the tactics or the game plan is absurd. The irony is that we won that very match in Khabarovsk 1-0.» — Robert Moreno, MatchTV (January 2026)
«Sporting decisions, planning, who goes on the pitch, the line-up — these are made by people. And I have always done this together with my coaching staff.» — Robert Moreno, MatchTV (January 2026)
«Artificial intelligence has no emotions. It cannot embrace, it cannot look into your eyes. It will always remain just an assistant that speeds up processes, but it will never replace a living person.» — Robert Moreno, MatchTV (January 2026)
Who has denied this story
| Source | Statement |
|---|---|
| Open letter in Marca | «I never used ChatGPT or any AI to prepare matches, decide line-ups or choose players.» |
| Sport24.ru | «I did not use ChatGPT for match preparation.» |
| MatchTV | «Saying that ChatGPT determines tactics is absurd.» Watch interview → |
| Nacho Saavedra (FK Sochi player) | «I never saw Robert use ChatGPT for line-ups or training. It is completely false.» |
No Russian media outlet supports the claim that I was fired for using ChatGPT.
Conclusion
I have learned that the narrative is often stronger than the truth.
I have learned that when you don’t have a voice, others build one for you.
And I have learned that choosing silence out of respect comes at a price.
The «fired for ChatGPT» story is a media construction in three steps:
1. A former executive with a personal grudge.
2. A media outlet invents a headline.
3. Dozens of outlets copy without verification.
They hired me. They renewed me. I got them promoted. I left over results, not over ChatGPT.
📺 Video · Full Interview
The truth told in first person
Interview on MatchTV (Russia) · Spanish subtitles · 9 minutes
