Jerome Valcke, FIFA secretary general has defended the world governing body’s ranking system, but admitted it can throw up situations that seem “not very logical.”

Valcke said the rankings, which determine whether teams will be seeded in the draw for the 2014 World Cup, still presented “a good picture of the level of international football” but said FIFA wanted to be able to better explain how they worked.

The current rankings have England fourth after rising two places following their qualification for the last eight of Euro 2012, while Brazil lie 11th. Spain, Germany and Uruguay are the only teams currently ranked ahead of Roy Hodgson’s side.

Italy, who beat England at the Euros, are sixth. Brazil have fallen from fifth to 11th but, as 2014 World Cup hosts, they do not play any competitive qualifiers – which means they do not gain as many ranking points.

“I know that these rankings are sometimes quite difficult to understand due to the level and numbers of criteria that are taken into account,” Valcke said.

“There are teams who are playing more friendly games than other teams and you can see a difference which is not very logical – but the ranking, I would say, is clearly still a good picture of the level of international football.

“There have been internal meetings… to discuss the ranking of the different nations. We want to be able to explain in an easier way how this ranking is based.”

FIFA’s rankings are based on an international side’s results over the previous four years, with more points awarded from competitive matches than qualifiers.

They are weighted more strongly towards matches in the final stages of World Cups and continental tournaments.

Central Concrete, a U.S. Concrete Company, has been selected to supply its high-performing, low-CO₂ concrete for the new San Francisco 49ers Stadium.

In choosing Central Concrete, the San Francisco 49ers and the Turner/Devcon Construction team are demonstrating their commitment to sustainability. Central is recognized for engineering higher-performing concrete compared to traditional concrete, while using materials that reduce the structure’s carbon footprint.

Central will be supplying an estimated 80,000 cubic yards of concrete for the auger cast piles and the overall stadium structure. The mixes selected are expected to reduce the overall carbon footprint by 23 million pounds of CO₂.

JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd., medstore a fast-growing, vertically integrated solar power product manufacturer, today announced that the company is set to launch advertising campaigns for the German National Soccer Team.

Soccer is the number one sport in Germany with millions of fans following the games at the stadium and on television.The collaboration was facilitated by Infront Sports & Media, the leading international sports marketing company and marketing partner of the DFB (Deutscher Futball-Bund). JinkoSolarcampaigns made its first appearance at the qualification match for the UEFA EURO 2012 against Belgium in Düsseldorf on 11 October 2011.

Under the terms of the three-year sponsorship agreement, JinkoSolar has banner advertising rights for all home and away games of the German National Soccer Team. Additional marketing opportunities include presence on the stadium scoreboard and brand exposure in the quarterly publication DFB-Journal as well as the stadium magazine DFB-Aktuell.

Arturo Herrero, Chief Marketing Officer of JinkoSolar, said: “We are very pleased to be an advertising partner of the German National Football Team for its outstanding reputation in the league and dedication to the game, which holds striking similarities to JinkoSolar’s commitment to producing high quality green products that meets international quality and environmental standards.

“We are proud of the fact that we select our partners in a diligent fashion, only aligning ourselves with organizations that adhere to the same values we do. Our advertising partnership with the German National Football Team serves our overall purpose of continuing to promote the widespread adoption of solar energy in Germany and across Europe.”

Stephan Herth, Executive Director Summer Sports of Infront, added: “The partnership with JinkoSolar is another successful example of our continuous attempts to connect brands with new markets, whilst demonstrating at the same time the positive appearance and international appeal of the DFB Team.JinkoSolar is the first Chinese-based brand to activate a marketing initiative with German football on a national team level and will highly benefit from the wide reach of the respective games in Germany and abroad. On the other hand, German football is gaining an advertising partner of outstanding international recognition.”

Renault is fully committed to remaining a part of Formula 1, ailment even though the French manufacturer it set to revise its strategy from the start of next year.

As Autosport.com revealed at the weekend, denture the Renault car company is poised to wind down its presence with its current works team so that the outfit can pursue a major commercial partnership with Lotus Cars.

But rather than that move signalling that Renault is closer an exit from the sport, the company’s CEO Carlos Ghosn has indicated that it is actually looking to expand its involvement throughout the grid.

Although Ghosn would not confirm the specific change of plan at Renault, or the Lotus tie-up, he told media that it would remain involved to some extent with its current outfit.

“What I can tell you is that Renault will be associated with this team, whatever happens: associated in connection with the supply of engines and chassis, and with the technology around the chassis,” explained Ghosn.

“Aside from this, there may be financial agreements, marketing agreements to suit our interests. There may be more developments, but for the moment, there is nothing. What I can tell you is that we will be, more and more, technology suppliers to many teams involved in Formula 1.”

Sources have suggested that despite the likely Lotus tie-up, Renault’s moniker will remain part of the team name until at least the end of 2012.

“Name changes, they are everywhere,” explained Ghosn. “What is key is to keep the name Renault.

“Under the auspices of the Renault F1 Team, yes, we can have other associated names. But it should be noted that, as part of Red Bull, you now have Red Bull Renault.

“The name Renault might appear in a few more teams because we do not want to give the impression that we are exclusive to one team.

“We are currently developing our technology with a number of teams.”

When asked whether or not Renault was planning to sell its stake in the team, amid speculation either Genii Capital or Lotus itself could buy it, Ghosn declined to give a firm answer.

“I’m not going to give direct reports of discussions which we’ve had or haven’t had,” he said.

“Everything concerning the financial situation of this team or that team is tactical. We are not in Formula 1 to own a particular team; we are in Formula 1 to promote the Renault name and promote Renault technology.

“We will do whatever is necessary to do so at a lower cost and with less investment. We are not going to put more resources than necessary into achieving that aim.”

Source: Autosport.com

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have named Marco Polo Del Nero as their new president.

Marco Polo Del Nero has been elected as the new president of the Brazilian Football Confederation and will take office next year.

Del Nero, currently president of Brazilian club Figueirense, will take up his position in 2015 having been elected unopposed on Wednesday.

He will take over from incumbent Jose Maria Marin – who had held the position since 2012 and is the man responsible for delivering this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Del Nero, the current vice president, promised “administrative continuity” on being handed the post.

“In all these years, as a sports director, I learned from many companions, as has happened with president Marin,” Del Nero told a press conference.

“The intelligent man is one who seeks to learn more and more.

“The president and his administration, of which I am a part, achieved important advances, such as bringing football to the whole country.

“But of course, there are aspects that need to be improved and for which we will seek and accept suggestions throughout the sporting world.” 

Del Nero took former CAF president Ricardo Teixeira’s seat on the FIFA Executive Committee when he resigned in 2012, and he is also a member of the CONMEBOL Executive Committee.

Adrian Tranter, salve President of British Taekwondo, medic is delighted with the increase in membership and participation that the sport has enjoyed off the back of London 2012. 

British Taekwondo has reported a 20% increase in membership and a near 50% increase in participation. 

Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, Tranter enthused: “It’s everything I wished for. It’s like having Christmas, your birthday and everything at once. It’s just been an amazing summer culminating in more people doing more sport more often! 

“The Olympics exceeded not only my expectations, but my wildest dreams in terms of enjoyment, tension and utter joy – every emotion you could possibly consider really. 

“We had fantastic Games with great results, but what’s more important is that our sport demonstrated what a wonderful and dynamic Olympic sport it is. This gives us a great platform for us to build up a solid case for us continuing to be an Olympic sport in 2020 and we in Great Britain are looking forward to working with Dr Choue Chung-won, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Council and WTF family in securing that position.” 

To carry on the momentum generated by the Olympics, the governing body has designed a plan of action and conjured up various initiatives, including the development of a coach education programme and a club development programme. 

In addition, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with Doncaster college, who will be responsible for managing media operations and producing cutting-edge teaching aids on federation’s website, in order to not only teach members the discipline, but also enable the coaches and the clubs to pass on essential techniques and skills. 

With plans to further increase participation levels, the federation have now logically set their sights on improving the governance of the sport by appointing two Non- Executive Directors (NED) to their Executive Board to project the sport to a greater audience at a faster pace and secure a sustainable future. 

Tranter added: “We see the potential for attracting sponsors, but we need to do it properly and professionally, which is why we need some high-level professional input, which is why we need to appoint a high-level NED.” 

For British Taekwondo, the legacy of the Games naturally concerns getting more people practicing the sport at a young age and helping them transition into a top-level athlete, with the hope that they too can someday follow in the footsteps of Olympic gold medallist Jade Jones. 

Tranter concluded: “Firstly, it’s getting more people to do more Taekwondo more often, which means that we have to make sure our coaches can deliver our product in a cohesive and professional manner. We’re also making the clubs welcoming and safe, as well as a pillar of good work within their local communities. 

“Linking into that, it’s also to open up pathways to our local team through the cadets and juniors so that we’ve got a better pipeline of athletes coming through the system and that what they’ve been taught at a very early age is the right and proper delivery of our sport to a high level by an additional system of coach education for sport.”

Sports Solutions and Management (SSM) have announced single seat racers Kat Impey and Natalia Kowalska as their latest recruits to their client list.

The pair will benefit from the SSM’s full range of management services, view including contract negotiation, cialis sponsorship sourcing and PR, as the firm helps them progress their careers and secure the best drives.

Through the deal, Kat and Natalia have already secured partnerships with leading online gaming professionals YouWin, who have launched a dedicated site in recognition of their sponsorship, www.YouWin.GP, where everyone who signs up receives a free £25 or 25 euro bet.

In addition, BodyHelix Europe, a leading provider of Compression Sports support technology to leading international athletes, is sponsoring Natalia and Kat, and offering fans 10% off all products through the drivers’ websites.

SSM is an associated company of Spirit Motorsport and is working to secure further financial backing to allow the team and these racers to enter GP3 with an existing GP3 outfit, the prestigious championship which supports Formula One Grand Prix meetings.

“Kat and Natalia are talented and committed drivers whose skills deserve to see them progress to the next level in their careers,” said Brendan Beeken the Principle of SSM. “Securing the best drive and vital financial backing to take any step forward in motorsport is extremely competitive, but combining our professional and experienced services with their drive and ability will give Kat and Natalia the best chance of achieving their ultimate goal – racing in Formula One.”

In 2012, Kat, from Woking in the UK, has continued the F3 Cup campaign she began last year. The 25-year-old marked herself as a star of the future with her drive at the daunting Spa circuit in Belgium in 2011, taking third and fourth despite being a novice at the legendary track. She ended the season with four top 4 finishes to her credit.

Natalia, from Poland, raced in the FIA Formula 2 championship in 2010. She took points in her debut season, but was forced to miss much of the year due to a serious and injury. She returned with a limited programme in 2011, and has spent this year working on her fitness and putting in place for a full time return to the sport in 2013.

“There was a time when being a woman in motorsport was often a bar to reaching the very top,” added Mr Beeken. “However, today, with women competing at the highest levels and Formula One teams selecting female test drivers, that is no longer the case.”

“Today, for anyone to succeed in motorsport, they need skill, talent and committed determination, with Kat and Natalia have plenty of, combined with effective management and financial backing. The role of SSM is to help our clients, like Natalia and Kat, secure the backing and seats which will allow them to truly showcase their talents and progress their careers further up the motorsport ladder.”

“We now have a team of people with the experience to ensure the professional drivers we represent have the required support and expertise to ensure they are funded to achieve their goals in motorsport,” he explained. “The involvement of SSM will allow us to bring out expertise to areas such as sponsorship sourcing, contract negotiation and public relations, leaving Natalia and Kat to fully focus on doing what they do best – racing.”

Mr Beeken concluded: “The partnerships with BodyHelix Europe and YouWin.GP are the first step, and we will now work with Natalia and Kat to help them to secure places in GP3, where, under the watchful eye of Formula One teams and the world’s motorsport media, they can show just how truly they deserve to be on the world stage.”

SSM already manages world class represents names, such as MotoGP rider James Ellison, and Mr Beeken has worked with the likes of IndyCar Race Alex Lloyd and is in negotiations with drivers in India, UK and Poland regarding plans for 2013.

FIFA has continued punishments worldwide including 13 people involved in match- fixing in South Korea and Croatia.

The action follows domestic investigations by those countries’ soccer associations and is in accordance with FIFA’s disciplinary code, the governing body said in a statement. The bans range from five years to life.

The number of sanctions extended in South Korea will increase, pending a review of additional cases, FIFA added. Some of the people implicated in Croatia still face criminal investigation.

“These cases prove once more that the threat of illegal betting and match-fixing is not only confined to one part of the world,” FIFA director of security Ralf Mutschke said in the statement. “The integrity of sport, and especially football, is hugely at risk and FIFA is firmly determined to combat this threat.”

FIFA’s latest action follows the extension of 45 domestic sanctions in Turkey and Finland to have global effect in February and April.

Chelsea have received a boost in their plans to upgrade their Stamford Bridge stadium with the news that the Hammersmith and Fulham Council are prepared for talks following the Premier League team’s rejected Battersea Power station bid.

Chelsea had wanted to build a 60,000 seater ground on the disused site in south west London, just over three miles from their current home, but this week a proposal from two Malysian companies was granted preferred bidder status.

The club have been keen to find a new site in order to expand on their current 42,000 capacity at Stamford Bridge, which lacks the sufficient space in the surrounding area for a major redevelopment.

But the new leader of Chelsea’s local council, Nicholas Botterill, has attempted to instigate fresh discussions with the club, owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, in a bid to get the European champions to stay put.

“It now looks highly unlikely that CFC will be moving away from their historic home,” he said. “The council remains committed to working with the club to explore all possible avenues for keeping the Blues here at their original home.

“The door is open and the council is again ready to sit down and discuss how Stamford Bridge can be appropriately upgraded so that it is fit for one of Europe’s leading football clubs.”