The International Cricket Council (ICC) has completed its investigation into match-fixing allegations during the third one-day international between England and Pakistan and concluded there was “no compelling evidence to suspect individual players or support staff”.

The investigation was triggered by the Sun newspaper, malady which claimed it had evidence showing bookmakers knew details of the Pakistan innings before the 17 September match had begun.

A statement from the ICC said: “Following extensive investigations into allegations about the one-day international between England and Pakistan at The Oval in London on 17 September, viagra the ACSU has verified all the available information and concluded that there was no compelling evidence to suspect individual players or support staff.

“The investigation is now complete but if new and corroborating evidence comes to light then clearly the ACSU will re-open the matter.”

Pakistan won the match, symptoms and afterwards president of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ijaz Butt, accused England players of accepting money to lose it.

He withdrew his claims once the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) threatened him with legal action.

Table Tennis legend Vladimir Samsonov (BLR) has been re-elected as the Chairman of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Athletes’ Commission in an election held at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

Samsonov, who was in the world’s top 10 for a remarkable 15 years, stated: ”representing the athletes is a great honor, but I am also aware of my responsibilities. I am very exited, and will work very hard in order to justify the trust the athletes have placed in me.”

“It will be a pleasure to work with the old and new Athletes Commission members, and I am excited to get back to work for the good of the athletes.”

The following four athletes were elected by their peers to join Samsonov on the Athletes’ Commission until 2018:

• Jean-Michel SAIVE (BEL)
• Zoran PRIMORAC (CRO)
• Krisztina TÓTH (HUN)
• David POWELL (AUS)

The Australian Football League (AFL), the premier Aussie Rules tournament, have sealed new four-year agreement with Rightster – the digital video distribution, marketing and monetisation specialist.

The deal relates to the AFL’s international live streaming subscription service – AFLTV. The service, operated and built by Rightster on the AFL’s behalf, offers live and on-demand coverage of every Toyota AFL Premiership match to fans all over the world, via AFLTV. 

Throughout the 2013 Toyota AFL Premiership season, AFLTV reached thousands of fans in over 216 territories, delivering more than 2.5 million streams including Hawthorn’s Grand Final win over Fremantle earlier this year.

The AFL and Rightster have reached agreement to cover the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Toyota AFL Premiership seasons. This will allow the development of a long-term strategy which will include additional features and content in order to further drive fan engagement.

Peter Campbell, General Manager, AFL Media, said: “We’re pleased to announce this agreement with Rightster as part of our ongoing commitment to international AFL fans. As the importance of digital platforms, fan engagement and digital revenue grows, we believe Rightster is the perfect partner to help us build our sport and business in this area. They offer us the transparency and control we feel is vital to success.”

Rightster CEO, Charlie Muirhead, said: “After a hugely successful first year, it’s fantastic that the AFL and Rightster have agreed to extend our relationship until 2016. Digital media has transformed the way sports fans view games and highlights, and engage with their sporting heroes. Leagues, Clubs and Federations are seeking new ways to understand and engage with fans whilst offering the excitement of sport to a growing online audience. At Rightster we’re working with sports brands to gather more audience data and insights across more channels. We look forward to continuing to deliver digital innovation and growth to the AFL and helping them take Australia’s Game to the world.”

The agreement will also see the AFL and Rightster work closely together to deliver added value to AFL Commercial Partners and explore other digital initiatives together.

Sunset+Vine have secured the contract to produce BT’s coverage of Premier League football and Premiership rugby union matches.

The contract, which ITV Studios considered bidding for in the early stage of the pitch process, but then pulled out of, is thought to be worth between £100m and £132m over three years. 

Sunset+Vine, which is owned by Welsh independent producer Tinopolis, makers of Question Time, produces sports output, including ESPN’s Premiership Rugby, and won plaudits for its Channel 4 Paralympics programming and earlier for its coverage for the same broadcaster of England’s home cricket Test matches between 1999 and 2005. 

“Live football and rugby coverage have been a major part of our recent output and we can now put our creative talents into delivering top class and innovative coverage for BT Sports major rights acquisitions,” said Jeff Foulser, chairman of Sunset+Vine. 

BT, which owns the BT Vision broadband TV service, paid £738m for the live TV rights for 38 Premier League games per season over three years from 2012/13. 

The telecoms company has also signed a £152m deal for the right to broadcast four seasons of Premiership Rugby from 2013/14. 

“We have chosen Sunset+Vine as our lead preferred partner on the basis of its creative approach and the quality of the team they have lined up to work on the programming,” said Simon Green, head of BT Sport. 

The Amway Center, medicine home to the Orlando Magic, has been highlighted in a recent report by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Green Sports Alliance for emphasizing green standards in a major-league venue that minimizes construction waste during building and consumes less power and water once open and operating. 

The downtown Orlando facility was noted for its 25 percent less energy consumption than a comparable building of conventional design.  Amway Center is one of 20 venues, teams or events included in the NRDC/GSA report highlighting examples of best practices. 

“Amway Center is living up to its expectations,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “We promised to create an arena that was civic-oriented, pedestrian friendly and added to downtown development.  We promised a sustainable arena and are proud to say that with great teamwork, we have surpassed our goals.”  

According to the NRDC report, in collaboration with the Green Sports Alliance, solar panels and recycling bins are becoming as common as hot dog vendors for professional sports teams and their venues.  The new report reveals the collective impact the uniquely influential professional sports industry is having on advancing environmental protection in North America, documenting innovative and cost-effective steps taken across all professional leagues.

“The motivation for sports to engage in greening is simple; the games we love today were born outdoors, and without clean air to breathe, clean water and a healthy climate, sports would be impossible,” said Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, director of NRDC’s green sports project.  “A cultural shift in environmental awareness is needed in order for us to address the serious ecological problems we face, and the sports industry, through its own innovative actions, has chosen to lead the way. Pro sports are showing that smart energy, water and recycling practices make sense.  They save money and prevent waste.  That’s as mainstream and non-partisan as it comes.”

The report, Game Changer: How the Sports Industry is Saving the Environment, presents 20 case studies of teams, venues and league events that have led the green movement in pro sports by adopting sustainable solutions to their energy, water, and waste needs. The findings document the bottom-line benefits of greening and the role of sports as society’s newest advocate for environmentally-sound practices, sentiments shared by Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig, who provided the report’s Preface and jumpstarted pro sports’ greening efforts in 2006.

“In my two decades as Commissioner, I have seen our sport take important strides forward on this essential issue,” wrote Selig, who will be presented the Environmental Leadership Award at the Green Sports Alliance Summit Gala at Safeco Field in Seattle on September 6. “As we strive to fulfill our social responsibilities, the national pastime will continue to protect our natural resources for future generations of baseball fans and to set an example of which they can be proud.”

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced that Chile will host the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2013 and Hong Kong the 2014 event following an extensive tender process which saw an unprecedented level of interest to stage the key age grade tournament.

The announcement follows hot on the heels of a record-breaking JWRT 2012 hosted by USA Rugby in Salt Lake City in June, store which culminated in a thrilling final between the hosts USA and Japan in front of a capacity crowd.

“The IRB is fully committed to the development of the Game in South America and Asia and has worked hard with Member Unions in recent years to provide increased international opportunities for teams from both these key regions where Rugby is on the rise, allergist ” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“The JWRT has proved a huge hit among players and fans alike, with its unique blend of entertaining and high-quality matches played by some of our brightest young stars in territories which are embracing the sport and its values. I am sure a return to Santiago and a first-ever visit to Hong Kong will provide memorable and vibrant editions of the much-loved tournament.”

“We are very proud to be chosen to host the Junior World Rugby Trophy,” said Federación de Rugby de Chile President Francisco Davanzo. “As in 2008, the JWRT will provide us with an opportunity to again host a major IRB event which will allow our Under 20 national team and the nation’s Rugby family to experience first-hand the excitement and competitiveness of an elite international Rugby tournament.”

“We believe that hosting this important IRB tournament will provide another tremendous boost to the development of the Game in Chile and will assist us in attaining our ambitious goals for improving the international standing of Chile in world Rugby. I would like to thank the IRB for their vision and commitment to growing Rugby across the continent, and for allowing us to host this world-class event once again.”

South America is one of Rugby’s fastest-growing regions, with a 25 per cent increase in the playing population since the inaugural JWRT was staged in Chile in 2008.

Hong Kong has successfully hosted the exceptional Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens as part of the HSBC Sevens World Series for over a decade as well as HSBC Asian 5 Nations Top 5 matches, and will bring a wealth of event management expertise to JWRT.

Hong Kong Rugby Football Union Chairman Trevor Gregory said: “We are delighted to be hosting the JWRT in Hong Kong in 2014. By completing the competitive tender process and with two full years to prepare, we are confident we can put on a wonderful festival of Rugby in a country where the fans are passionate and knowledgeable and turn out in force to see high-class matches. We look forward to welcoming the stars of tomorrow here and promise them world-class facilities and an unforgettable experience.”

Die Zurich Gruppe in Deutschland, therapy der offizielle Versicherer der Deutschen Olympiamannschaft, viagra startet ab heute eine umfangreiche Werbe- und Social-Media-Kampagne mit Athleten und Hoffnungsträgern des deutschen Teams. Die Moderne Fünfkämpferin Lena Schöneborn, discount Diskus-Ass Robert Harting, die Siebenkämpferin Jennifer Oeser und der Turmspringer Patrick Hausding sind die Gesichter der Kampagne. In vier außergewöhnlichen Fernseh- und Internetspots zelebrieren sie ihre Sportart, beeindruckende Slow-Motion-Aufnahmen spiegeln ihre Leidenschaft und den unbändigen Willen nach Gold wieder. Die Kampagne wurde initiiert von Monika Schulze, Leiterin Marketing sowie Hans-Peter Ganz, Leiter Sponsoring und Markenkommunikation von Zurich in Deutschland. Produziert wurden die Spots von Schmidt Media. Die Agentur ist seit langem Partner von Zurich, seit letztem Jahr offizieller Medien Partner Deutschland, und somit TV-Dienstleister des DOSB und der Deutschen Sport Marketing GmbH.

Auf der Internetseite www.zurich.de/sports können Besucher zum Start der Kampagne ihren persönlichen Lieblingsathleten wählen und dabei unter anderem eine Reise zu den Olympischen Spielen nach London gewinnen. Die Facebook-und Youtube-Kanäle von Zurich Sports stehen zudem als Plattform für wertvolle Informationen rund um die Deutsche Olympiamannschaft zur Verfügung. Mehrmals am Tag bekommen die Sportfans hier alle aktuellen, brisanten und spannenden Geschichten rund um das Sportereignis des Jahres geboten. Die digitale Umsetzung erfolgt durch die Agentur Mediaman in Mainz. Die Olympischen Spiele finden vom 27. Juli bis 12. August 2012 in London statt. Die Zurich Gruppe in Deutschland ist seit dem Jahr 2000 Co-Partner und offizieller Versicherer der Deutschen Olympiamannschaft.

Die Zurich Gruppe Deutschland gehört zur weltweit tätigen Zurich Financial Services Group. Mit Beitragseinnahmen (2010) von rund 7 Milliarden EUR, Kapitalanlagen von mehr als 31 Milliarden EUR und über 6.000 Mitarbeitern zählt Zurich zu den führenden Versicherungen im Schaden- und Lebensversicherungsgeschäft in Deutschland. Sie bietet innovative und erstklassige Lösungen zu Versicherungen, Vorsorge und Risikomanagement aus einer Hand. Individuelle Kundenorientierung und hohe Beratungsqualität stehen dabei an erster Stelle.

David Harker, CEO of Durham County Cricket Cub, has taken part in an exclusive Featured Profile interview with iSportconnect Features Writer Mary Meyer.

Harker spoke about the business model of the club and its future as well as discussing wider issues in cricket.

He talked at length about Durham’s current plans in the build-up to the county’s first Ashes test in 2013 and beyond, and the importance of non-cricket revenue alongside sport-driven funds.

Harker spoke in particular detail about the way in which Durham handled the renaming of their home ground in conjunction with Emirates and the issues surrounding naming rights.

He explained, “I think you can’t blame clubs for wishing to leverage all of their assets and to try and drive their commercial values. I think if it is done sensitively and you take the supporters with you, then it makes sense”.

Harker also gave his take on foreign ownership, the restructuring of county cricket and match-fixing.

Harker revealed “I’m not unduly concerned that domestic cricket will suffer in terms of people not believing that the game is true and fair. But clearly you can only take so many of these knocks before people do begin to question”.

The Durham man concluded with an endorsement of iSportConnect, and a glimpse into the club’s future. “As we look into other projects and expansion overseas then I can see how having this kind of network would be a useful resource to tap into”.

To read the full interview click here – http://tinyurl.com/7l4ofsh

NOTE FOR EDITORS:

David Harker has been the CEO of Durham County Cricket Club since 2000. He joined the Chester-le-Street club in 1991 when Durham became the first county to turn professional in seventy years having worked at PwC (then PriceWaterHouse). Harker has overseen great success both on and off the field at the 1892 born club, including the side’s back-to-back County Championships of 2008 and 2009, and the ground’s elevation to international status, and, from 2013, Ashes host.

According to an economic impact study, discount the 2010 Ryder Cup in Newport boosted the Welsh economy by £82.4m (US$133.4m).

The study took into account money spent on and off site, health local travel, buy and any extended stays by visitors and European Ryder Cup director Richard Hills said such events “deliver considerable direct and indirect benefits to the host nation and venue.”

The total attendance for the week of the match hit 244,000, while the total spend, including multipliers, was £82.4m ($133.4m) spent across Wales during the week of the event and this included south east Wales drawing an impact of £74.6m ($120.75m) and Newport £28.3m ($45.8m).

The study, conducted by IFM Sports Marketing Surveys, involved more than 1,250 face-to-face interviews with spectators during the event, followed by nearly 3,000 online, supported by interviews with 254 volunteers, 400 local Welsh businesses, 50 Welsh golf clubs and 472 local residents. Of the spectators interviewed, 69 per cent had come from outside Wales, including 7 per cent from the USA and Canada.

The majority of respondents from outside Wales confirmed that they were either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the welcome they received (84 per cent) and said their experience made it more likely they would visit Wales to play golf (61 per cent).

The findings follow an earlier study which suggested a 21 per cent boost to proceeds from golf tourism in Wales in 2010 to nearly £42m ($68m).