FIFA is to investigate Bahrain’s 10-0 Asian World Cup qualifying win over Indonesia in what it called a ‘routine examination’ based on the ‘usual outcome’ of the game.

Bahrain had needed a nine-goal win to qualify in the Asian Group E match, while they also required Iran to beat Qatar. Ultimately, an 86th-minute goal gave Qatar a 2-2 draw to clinch second place in the group at Bahrain’s expense, but FIFA is still looking into the game.

“Given the unusual outcome in relation to the results-expectation and head-to-head history, and in the interests of maintaining unequivocal confidence in our game, FIFA Security will conduct a routine examination of this game and its result,” FIFA said in a statement.

Indonesia, who were already eliminated, fielded a weakened team because some of their star players have been suspended for taking part in the breakaway Indonesian Super League (ISL).

Lebanese referee Andre El Hadded sent off Indonesia goalkeeper Samsidar after two minutes, while Bahrain converted two penalties during the match.

Prince Ali of Jordan, FIFA’s Asian vice-president told reporters he could not comment directly on the match, but added: “Match fixing is a huge issue that needs to be tackled … we will have to see what the investigation comes out with.

“But it has to be taken very seriously, regardless of what region it is played in. It is a world issue, not just simply in the Asian region. Many times you see those involved are a step ahead. We need to put as many resources as we can into this aspect of football and support those who are dealing with it in FIFA.

“The important thing is that if there are suspicions you have to investigate it. It might just be a coincidence, however there might be something behind it. Regardless, it can happen in any country in the world.”

by Ismail Uddin

NFL’s St. Louis Rams have rejected the initial proposal to upgrade their stadium, Edward Jones Dome and will instead submit their own improvement plan, the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission (CVC) said Thursday.

The CVC on Feb. 1 announced details of a plan calling for $124 million in improvements to the dome in an effort to keep the Rams in St. Louis. The team can break its lease after the 2014 season and potentially move to another city if the dome is not deemed to be among the top tier of NFL stadiums. The Rams have also agreed to play international matches in London in a three-year deal which has displeased the CVC as well.

The CVC said the Rams will submit their own plan no later than May 1.

“We look forward to receiving it,” the CVC said in a brief statement. CVC spokeswoman Donna Andrews declined further comment.

Jeff Rainford, chief of staff for St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, said the rejection was not unexpected at the early stages of the negotiations.

“It’s part of the dance,” he said.

The CVC plan included a massive scoreboard, new club seats and other amenities. But it also called for the Rams to pay for 52 percent of the cost.

There is growing concern among fans that St. Louis could lose an NFL team for the second time in a quarter of a century. The football Cardinals left for Arizona after the 1987 in large part because of stadium issues _ owner Bill Bidwill wanted a stadium of his own rather than having to share one with baseball’s Cardinals.

The Rams relocated to St. Louis from Los Angeles prior to the 1994 season, and the dome _ built with taxpayer funds and operated by the CVC _ opened that year. Though just 18 years old, it lacks some of the amenities of newer NFL stadiums.

The Rams have a 30-year lease to play at the dome, but the agreement requires that it be among the top 25 percent of all NFL stadiums based on various criteria. If not, the team is allowed to break the lease and in theory could leave at a time when Los Angeles is openly courting NFL teams. Rams owner Stan Kroenke owns an estate in Malibu, Calif., and is among the bidders for baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers. He has been non-committal about the future of the Rams in St. Louis.

Even if agreement is reached with the Rams, voters will have to approve any taxpayer money spent on improvements, officials with St. Louis city and county said. Based on the CVC plan, the taxpayer bill would have been about $60 million.

If the Rams and the CVC fail to reach agreement by June 15, arbitration would begin, and that process could last through the end of the year.

The dome was built largely with $256 million in revenue bonds, a debt that is being paid back with $24 million annually in tax money _ $12 million from the state of Missouri and $6 million each from St. Louis city and county.

The Rams pay $500,000 each year to use the dome _ $250,000 in rent and $250,000 for reimbursement to CVC for game-day expenses. The team gets to keep box office receipts, most advertising revenue, net game-day concession proceeds, and some concession proceeds sold for non-football events. The lease also allows use of Rams Park, the practice facility in St. Louis County.

Kroenke purchased a 40 percent share of the team when Georgia Frontiere moved the Rams to St. Louis. She died in 2008, and two years later, Kroenke bought the remaining stake from her children.

There was a recent dispute with the CVC about a lease provision requiring the Rams to play all “home” games at the dome. The dispute was settled, clearing the way for the team to play New England as the “home” team at Wembley Stadium in London on Oct. 28.

In exchange, the Rams agreed to increase the number of football season weekends that the dome can be booked for other uses. The team will also pay temporary employees the wages they would have earned by working the game in St. Louis. The Rams also want to play games in London in 2013 and 2014. No deal has been worked out on those games.

by Ismail Uddin

British Midland Airways Limited (BMI) have scrapped their sponsorship of the scandal-ridden England Rugby team after a two-year association.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU), the governing body for English rugby, struck a deal in 2009 for BMI to become the official airline of the England rugby team.

As well as being the official airline of the England team, which performed poorly during this year’s World Cup, BMI had exclusive naming rights for parts of the Twickenham stadium, where England plays its home matches.

O2, Nike, Investec and Land Rover are among the other sponsors of the England rugby team.

The sponsorship of shirt supplier Nike, kit sponsors O2 and official vehicle supplier Land Rover are all up for renewal at the end of the season.

Land Rover and O2 are both thought to be unhappy about the performance of the England rugby team off the pitch during the World Cup, which included a drunken night out involving dwarf throwing.

Land Rover refused to be drawn on whether it would be renewing its sponsorship.

A spokesperson for BMI said: “BMI’s sponsorship as the official airline of England rugby is due to expire at the end of 2011. A decision was taken before the Rugby World Cup not to renew the sponsorship.”

In September, BMI-owner Lufthansa, the German airline group said it was considering a sale of BMI. BMI, whose flight destinations include Europe, the Middle East and Asia, lost £105 million ($164.5m) in the first half of the year, according to its financial accounts.

London have stepped up their marketing campaign for the 2017 World Athletics Championships after launching its website and unveiling its logo and slogan.

Under the slogan “Ready to break records”, London is hoping that the unprecedented demand for tickets to watch athletics at next year’s Olympics will demonstrate to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that a Championships in the capital would be the best attended in the history of the event, which was first held in Helsinki in 1983.

Ed Warner, the chairman of UK Athletics, said: “There is a real desire in the UK to host the IAAF World Athletics Championships. 2017 would deliver a true Olympic legacy and with almost two million fans signing up for London 2012 athletics tickets there is a huge appetite for our sport in the capital. Today’s confirmation means we can now put months of planning into action. Our aim is to present a compelling bid to the IAAF in November.”

The bid will be led by Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012 and vice-president of the IAAF. 

Coe said: “We know we have a country and a city full of passionate athletics fans. I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to celebrate the fifth birthday of the Olympic Stadium in London in 2017 than by having thousands of these fans gather once again and cheer the world’s greatest sports stars. 

“Bringing the World Championships to London would grow the sport commercially; increase the fan base and continue to drive the inspirational power of sport, particularly athletics, to young people in our own country and around the world.”

This will be London’s fourth bid in less than 15 years to hold the World Championships.

The previous bids have all ended in embarrassing failures due to the lack of a suitable facilities to host the event, including in 2005 when London were awarded the event only to have to hand back after then Prime Minister Tony Blair failed to keep his promise to build a stadium at Picketts Lock and the Government tried to move it to Sheffield, which the IAAF immediately rejected.

But enthusiasm to stage the Championships seems to be higher than ever.

London Mayor, Boris Johnson, said: “This gives us the perfect opportunity to build on the momentum of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and would be a real boost in cementing a lasting sporting legacy for London well into the future.

“I’m confident we will put together an incredibly strong bid which will show off not just the huge enthusiasm Londoners have for athletics, but also the world-class package the capital can offer in hosting these exciting and inspiring sports.”

London’s only opponents are Doha, who launched their marketing campaign yesterday.

But Dai Greene, Britain’s newly crowned world 400 metres hurdles champion is in no doubt which city the world’s top athletes would prefer to compete in.

He said: “There is so much interest in athletics in the UK, two million people went for Olympic tickets and I know other athletes would enjoy coming to London to compete. It would be superb from my point of view…I’d love to compete at the Olympic Stadium in 2017.”

Dwight Philips, the American who won his fourth world long jump title in Daegu last week, also said: “The people in Britain know so much about our sport and they really support it. I might not be a competitor in 2017, but I’d want to come to London and be a spectator.”

The IAAF is due to choose the host city at a meeting of its ruling Council in Monte Carlo on November 11.

The oldest major tournament in golf, the Open Championship, has increased its prize fund from US$6.3 million to US$7.25 million for its 150th anniversary this year.

The fund had been static since 2006, with the first prize at US$1.1 million. The winner will now take home US$1.3 million.

Chief executive at tournament organisers R&A, Peter Dawson, said: “The Open Championships sits at the forefront of world golf and it is appropriate that our prize fund reflects that position in the game. Over the last 18 months we have had to take account of the pound’s weakened position against the US dollar and euro and we have increased our prize money accordingly.”

This year’s Open Championship will take place between 15 and 18 July and will be held at St. Andrews golf course in Scotland.

Durham County Cricket Club has reaped the benefits of their on-field achievements by reporting revenues are up 30 per cent pre-tax profits of US$300,000 for the last financial year.

The Chester-le-Street based club achieved a turnover of over US$10 million last year, up from just over US$8 million the previous year. This was a return to profit after losing almost US$1.5 million in 2008.

The turn around in fortunes has been attributed to hosting a five-day Test Match between England and the West Indies last May, which helped bring in an extra US$1.5 million in revenues.

The improved financial state of the club comes as the side won the LV County Championship for the second season running.

Durham’s Chief Executive, David Harker, said: “We have been through a challenging period but we have maintained our momentum on the playing side and and secured the long-term future of the club off the field. We are now optimistic for the future.”

The club has also secured an Ashes Test in 2013, and signed a six-year sponsorship deal with Emirates Airlines.

Pozna? in Poland will play host to the world’s elite canoeists for the ICF Canoe Polo World Championships being held at the Malta Regatta Course from 5 – 9th of September.

Around 700 competitors from 68 nations will descend on Poznan ensuring the highest level of competition. The Malta course is considered one of the best and most beautiful in the world.

Pozna? has held previous world class rowing events, medstore including 2009 FISA World Rowing Championships, ampoule  2010 ICF World Canoe Sprint Championships, allergy  2011 ICF World Canoe Sprint Cup and 2012 ICF World Canoe Spring Cup & European Olympic Canoe Qualifier

In addition to this Pozna? was one of the host cities for the successful UEFA EURO 2012 and has hosted many other major international events.

Currently Pozna? is bidding, for a second time, for the prestigious 2018 Youth Olympic Games. Hosting major international events such as the ICF Canoe Polo World Championships helps to maintain and build Pozna?’s international reputation and increases the expertise and knowledge around hosting international world events.

Ryszard Grobleny, Mayor of Pozna? said: “We are delighted to be hosting the ICF Canoe Polo World Championships and look forward to welcoming the best teams from around the world. We are keen to showcase our city as a premier destination for world class international events. From our successful involvement with the UEFA EURO 2012 and these World Championships we are determined to continue to bid for and deliver high class events.”