Bundesliga club Werder Bremen have revealed their president and chief executive Klaus-Dieter Fischer will step down from his posts at the end of the year.

The 73-year-old made the surprise announcement via a club statement on Wednesday, citing “personal reasons”.

“I have always had the ambition to determine my departure and that will be at the end of the year,” Fischer said in the statement, posted on the club’s website.

“My association with Werder has determined my life and opened worlds that I could not have otherwise experienced. For that I will be eternally grateful and I hope I have provided just as much back.”

Fischer hopes that Werder vice president Dr Hubertus Hess-Grunewald will be elected as his replacement.

“I have never made a secret of the fact that I value our vice president Dr Hubertus Hess-Grunewald as a strong candidate to be my successor,” he said.

“I have been preparing him for this task for two years and we will now step up the joint work.

“I hope that the election committee follow my suggestion and Dr Hubertus Hess-Grunewald is nominated and that the club members can join in this opinion.”

New MMA promotion, World Series of Fighting has reaffirmed its broadcast arrangement with NBC Sports Network for a one-year deal following confusion regarding the terms.

The World Series of Fighting President, Ray Sefo said that his company does hold a one-year contract with the cable network, but his goal of eventually hosting eight-to-10 events per year on the channel will be a discussion held after the Nov. 3 debut.

“Yesterday, I stated that the World Series of Fighting holds a one-year deal with NBC Sports and that we will be doing eight-to-10 fights per year,” Sefo said in a statement issued to MMAjunkie.com. “To clarify, we have an agreement with NBC Sports Network to air the Nov.  event and to rebroadcast on Sunday, Nov 4. If all goes well, World Series of Fighting and NBC Sports will look at broadcasting more events. The remaining terms will remain private.”

Sefo made his initial comments at Thursday’s World Series of Fighting announcement press conference in Las Vegas. However, his clarification comes after an MMA Fighting report revealed the deal was only for one event. 

Sources close to the promotion indicated the deal allows for NBC Sports to replay the debut event for up to one year, and an NBC Sports Network representative confirmed the contract does not currently call for any additional programming from World Series of Fighting. However, the promotion’s representatives remain hopeful a successful first event will lead to many more fight cards on the channel’s airwaves.

“We are happy to be on NBC Sports Network and look forward to having our first fight and enjoying a great relationship with them,” Sefo said.

World Series of Fighting 1 takes place Nov. 3 at Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. As reported previously, it will be headlined by former WEC bantamweight champ and recently released UFC fighter Miguel Torres (40-5).

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced yesterday a ground-breaking relationship with Initiative Futures that will provide a significant boost to cricket through effective use of sport research and optimisation of sponsorships. 

The relationship will include Cricket Australia, State Associations and KFC T20 Big Bash League teams and will generate deeper insights and recommendations to Australian cricket and enhanced value to its commercial partners.

The relationship will see Cricket Australia working with Initiative’s sports and entertainment consultancy division which is part of the IPG Mediabrands group.

The consultancy has an international client base that includes the International Cricket Council, the England and Wales Cricket Board and a leading English Premier League football club.

CA Head of Commercial Marketing, Luke Bould, said: “Initiative Futures is at the cutting edge of sports sponsorship measurement and this relationship will provide cricket with market leading insights, knowledge and opportunities not currently available to other sports in Australia.

“We’ve gone outside of the traditional models to find an innovative solution that will not only allow Australian cricket to more accurately measure the value of its commercial assets but also provide an optimal return on our commercial partners’ investment in the game.”

“Initiative Futures’ unique technology and digital measurement, combined with its near live reporting tools, will allow Australian cricket to be more agile to deliver a competitive advantage over other sports in this country.”

Kevin Alavy, Managing Director, Initiative Futures, said: “We are absolutely delighted to launch Initiative’s sports research consultancy in Australia with such a prestigious and important sporting body as Cricket Australia. We have shared values in striving for excellence and believe that cricket in Australia will really benefit from investment in our advanced approaches to measurement and analytics and from our widely-respected consultancy services.”

Goal-line technology was approved in principle by the soccer’s lawmakers on Saturday and could be used for the first time at FIFA’s Club World Cup finals in Japan at the end of the year.

The eight-man International Football Association Board said that the technologies of two companies, herbal Hawk-Eye from Britain and GoalRef, a German-Danish company, would be subject to further tests until a final decision was taken at a special IFAB meeting in Kiev on July 2.

The issue of goal-line technology has been on and off IFAB’s agenda over the last decade, but FIFA president Sepp Blatter, once a staunch opponent, changed his mind after Frank Lampard’s infamous phantom goal for England against Germany in the 2010 World Cup finals was disallowed when it was clearly over the line.

Blatter said before the meeting he “would rather die” than witness another blunder like that in a future World Cup and with his support, the introduction of the system became more likely.

Alex Horne, the general secretary of the English FA who hosted the meeting south of London, told a news conference: “Eight goal-line technology systems were tested, and now two are going forward to final testing – Hawk-Eye and GoalRef. They will go into phase two of testing and be tested to ‘destruction’.

“We expect, following the conclusion of those tests by EMPA (the Swiss testing laboratory), that one or more of the companies will fulfil the criteria, amid that we will be passing that into the laws on July 2.”

Jerome Valcke, FIFA’s general secretary, added: “If it is approved on July 2, then there is nothing to stop it being used on July 3, but in reality, the first FIFA competition it might be used at would be the Club World Cup finals in Japan in December. It should also be used at the Confederations Cup in Brazil next year before the World Cup in 2014.”

The Confederations Cup is used as a rehearsal for the finals and between four and six World Cup stadiums should feature in that tournament.

A number of issues remain to be settled regarding technology including future licensing agreements, the costs involved and to what playing level the systems can be used.

Both systems, and future ones yet to be developed, could eventually be licensed with costs expected to reduce over time.

The system used by Hawk-Eye, which is used in tennis and cricket, is based on optical recognition with cameras while GoalRef uses a magnetic field with a special ball to identify a goal situation.

IFAB, which comprises four representatives from the world governing body FIFA and four from the British associations, also agreed in principle to overturn the decision they took in 2007 and will now allow Islamic women footballers to wear a hijab, or headscarf, when they play.

The hijab decision, taken after a presentation to the Board by FIFA executive committee member Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, was agreed by all eight members and will also be subject to further testing with a view to a final decision on July 2.

“I am deeply grateful that the proposal to allow women to wear the headscarf was unanimously endorsed by all members of IFAB,” Prince Ali said.

“I welcome their decision for an accelerated process to further test the current design and I’m confident that once the final ratification at the special meeting of IFAB takes place, we will see many delighted and happy players returning to the field and playing the game they love.”

In other decisions, a proposal from FIFA to allow a fourth substitute in extra time in Cup matches was withdrawn while further discussions will be taken regarding the “triple punishment” sanction when a player concedes a penalty, is sent off and faces a suspension for preventing a goal-scoring opportunity.

IFAB also approved the use of “vanishing spray,” the temporary marker sprayed on to the pitch by the referee so defenders stand 10 yards (9.15 metres) from free-kicks, can also be used in matches, It also allowed rolling substitutes in amateur and veterans matches.

by Ismail Uddin

Premier Inn, one of the UK’s largest hotel chains, and Worcestershire County Cricket Club, has been granted planning permission to develop a new 120-bedroom hotel and restaurant and new facilities for Worcestershire County Cricket Club at the New Road ground.

The new hotel and restaurant is part of a comprehensive redevelopment of the ground which will also include the construction of new conference and executive facilities. Once complete the new hotel and restaurant will create more than 45 full time jobs in the town as well as additional jobs at the Cricket Club.

John Bates, Head of Acquisitions for Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, said: “The New Road ground is an ideal location for a new Premier Inn, right in the centre of Worcester and a perfect spot for leisure and business visitors to the city. The development is a great example of how flexible we can be to get into the best sites, and it takes us closer to achieving our target of 65,000 Premier Inn bedrooms across the UK by 2016. We will now press on to start building the hotel in the autumn, so we can add another quality location for our customers and invest to create jobs in Worcester.”

Whitbread, Premier Inn’s parent company, is investing £7.5m in the hotel and restaurant and Worcestershire County Cricket Club is also investing in excess of £2.5m in the new facilities.

David Leatherdale, Chief Executive of Worcestershire County Cricket Club, added: “In this economic climate, businesses of all types need to use their resources effectively to survive. We are doing just that at our New Road ground, investing in our facilities to help secure the future of the club and drive success on the pitch. The new development will add further facilities, to complement the Graeme Hick Pavilion completed some 2 ½ years ago making us a 365/day destination, and helping to attract investment into the Worcester. I am delighted that local councillors support our vision, and we will now be working hard to deliver a scheme which will benefit the City and County as a whole.”

A detailed planning application for the hotel and executive suites was submitted to Worcester City Council in December 2011 and was granted without conditions on 1 March 2012.

by Ismail Uddin

The Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) turbulent year has finally received some positive news after posting a record financial performance of £8.7million profit.

Revenue for the year from July 1 2010 to June 30 2011 increased by £24.3million from £112million to £136.3million. Operating profit for the year was £40.6million, an increase of £14.8million on the £25.8million recorded for 2009/10.

The retained profit for the year was £8.7million compared to a retained loss of £1.1million in 2009/10.

The growth is mainly driven by the match programme, with increases also witnessed in most other revenue streams, especially broadcasting, sponsorship and hospitality.

Martyn Thomas, acting chief executive, said: “In a year which presented many challenges, this is a significant achievement. The RFU’s record revenues mean that the game benefits because although the union works to maximise profits, unlike a PLC we then invest this in the sport.

“These results put us in a very strong position for the lead-up to Rugby World Cup 2015 which will bring a unique opportunity to grow the game nationwide, while creating a lasting legacy.”

This news comes as the RFU continue to try and reverse the the problems that have turned them into a laughing stock.

Martin Johnson’s resignation as England manager last week following a disappointing and controversial World Cup has placed the national team in limbo.

The RFU are also searching for a new chief executive, while director of elite rugby Rob Andrew has been strongly criticised for his refusal to step down after presiding over the demise of three England coaches.

With the 2011 Rugby World Cup on the horizon, remedy Aviva and Premiership Rugby have teamed up to create a national print advert featuring members of the England squad photographed in their club strips.

The advert is promoting the origin of the England team and recognising the fact that Aviva Premiership Rugby is where England players have progressed in their sport.. 

The vast majority of the players play their rugby in Aviva Premiership Rugby and the ad demonstrates the role Aviva Premiership Rugby has played in constructing the team for England’s World Cup campaign. 

Last season saw the emergence of players such as Manu Tuilagi and Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Year Tom Wood – demonstrating the quality and talent of young players emerging in English rugby.

England kick off their World Cup campaign against Argentina on Saturday

League One club Tranmere Rovers have announced the appointment of Jeremy Butler as their new Chief Executive.

Jeremy has been brought onboard as part of Chairman Peter Johnson’s initiative to transform the Club.

Having run a media business with a sole focus on football for the past 15 years, Jeremy brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and skills to the role.

He said: “Tranmere Rovers is a proud Club with a great history of punching above its weight.

“Who can forget those magical cup runs and thrilling play-off pushes.

“But in recent times the Club has been too reliant on the benevolence of Peter Johnson, and that cannot continue.

“Now it is time for passionate supporters to do their bit by taking up the opportunities available to help turn Tranmere Rovers around.

“The Club have just announced a new share issue and as part of that share issue a supporters’ representative is joining the board.

“There is also the opportunity for supporters to make an impact on the quality of the squad through our guarantee that any money raised over £529,000 in season-ticket sales will be added to the playing budget next season.

“We will also be announcing exciting season-ticket news and further initiatives to connect with our fans in due course.

“These initiatives are part of a new era at Prenton Park where engaging with supporters and the Wirral business community is at the heart of our plans.

“I arrive at the club with a clear understanding of the issues that need to be addressed and the hard work required to make the club sustainable in a difficult market.

“But I am confident that with the backing of fans and Wirral businesses, this Club will be able to thrive without having to rely on Peter’s generosity.”

Peter Johnson added: “I have been very impressed with Jeremy’s vision for Tranmere Rovers and believe he brings a great array of business skills as well as energy and passion to the club.

“We are embarking on a change of approach and I feel he is the right person to lead the Club into a bright future.”

Jeremy, who will also join the board of directors, will begin his role on Monday April 7 with Mick Horton taking on the crucial post of Football Operations Director and Club Secretary.