Leyton Orient owner Barry Hearn has sold his controlling share in the League One Club to Italian businessman, viagra Francesco Becchetto.

The East London club revealed on Monday that the 66-year-old sports promoter’s 90% share has been bought by multi-millionaire.

The Dagenham-born Hearn has been involved at Brisbane Road since 1995.

A statement on the club website reads: “Hearn’s company Matchroom Sport Ltd’s 90% shareholding has passed to the Italian businessman who will become the club’s new chairman. 

“Hearn, vcialis 40mg his son Eddie, Steve Dawson and David Dodd have resigned from the board of directors whilst Matthew Porter has stood down as chief executive but will remain as a director of the club. 

“Sports promoter Hearn acquired a controlling stake in Leyton Orient from Tony Wood in March 1995, making him one of the longest serving owners in English football during which time the club’s stadium has been rebuilt on three sides and the team has established itself in League One, following promotion in 2006.” 

A press conference with Barry Hearn and Francesco Becchetti will take place on Thursday when Orient will also disclose the other members of the new board. 

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David Grevemberg, the CEO of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has expressed his confidence that the Games will be a huge success, even hinting that it could be the best ever.

Four years ago, the Games were held in Delhi, and came in for widespread criticism for a variety of reasons, mainly logistical. This time, Grevemberg thinks his organisation can avoid the same mistakes.

Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, he said: “A number of members of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee spent time observing the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, during which a number of lessons were learnt. During a recent visit to Glasgow, members of the CFG Coordination noted that the Games Village has the potential to be the best ever for athletes in Commonwealth Games history.”

The organisation will also draw on the experiences of the 2002 Games in Manchester; something Grevemberg believes will be a huge benefit. “I believe drawing on the experiences of the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games will be a crucial factor in ensuring that Glasgow 2014 is a success.”

Commenting on the recent visit of the Commonwealth Games Federation, he said: “The key findings from their review were very positive, commenting that Glasgow 2014 has the potential to be the best Commonwealth Games ever.

“We’re not going to rest on our laurels though. We’re confident in our ability and focused on our vision to deliver a fantastic athlete centred and sport focused Games in Glasgow in just under two years’ time.

“The Commonwealth Games Federation Coordination Commission has recently spent four days reviewing the progress we have been making on our journey to the Games and they highlighted the fact that our venues are either complete or nearing completion, that the Athletes’ Village has the potential to be the best ever and also the strong working relationship between the Games Partners.

“Overall, I am pleased with our progress and confident in our ability to stage an outstanding Games in 2014. However, we will not be complacent and I’m aware of the hard work which lies ahead over the next two years.”

Read David Grevemberg’s full interview here: http://dev.isportconnect.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15188&catid=52&Itemid=427

American beer company Budweiser has spoken out over the ambush marketing affair that has caused a storm at this summer’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

36 women were evicted from Holland’s game against Denmark for wearing orange dresses associated with Bavaria Beer, which is not an official sponsor of the tournament, and therefore a breach of FIFA regulations.

Two women from the group, Barbara Castelein and Minte Immy Niewpoort, who are alleged to have masterminded the stunt are now facing criminal charges.

But Budweiser, which is an official sponsor of the tournament, has released a statement making it clear it had nothing to do with beginning proceedings against the women.

The statement read: “We first learned about this issue through media stories and reporter inquiries. FIFA did apprise us of the situation as part of their regular sponsor communications after the incident was handled.

“We had nothing to do with FIFA’s decision to remove these women from the stadium or the steps taken afterwards. Please understand that our position as a sponsor of the World Cup does not give us such decision-making authority.

“Although AB InBev (Budweiser parent company) is an official sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, FIFA remains the sole decision maker in regards to tournament issues both on and off the field.

“We want to be clear that we did not provide FIFA or South African authorities any counsel on the issue involving Bavaria – we are not and have not been involved.

“We understand there is an active investigation underway by the local authorities, and out of respect for that process and the parties involved, we will not provide any further comment.”

The two women face charges under the Merchandise Marks Act and the Special Measures Regulations, but Bavaria Beer has said it will do all it can to try and help them out.

A statement from the company said: “Unfortunately Bavaria has been drawn into the furore surrounding the arrest of the two ladies who were wearing an orange dress also worn by thousands of Dutch ladies and football supporters.

“There is no way FIFA can hold these ladies responsible for their attendance at the match in their Dutch dress in Soccer City and Bavaria is currently doing everything in its power to assist the arrested Dutch ladies.

“Bavaria will ask FIFA to immediately stop intimidating Dutch dresses female supporters.”

ITV pundit Robbie Earle was also caught up in the incident when he was sacked by the broadcaster, as it was his tickets that were used by the women to attend the game.

iSportconnect, free viagra the world’s largest private network for sport business professionals, ed ed has joined up with the International Sport Business Congress (ISBC) to support the two-day event which sees a host of top sports minds sharing their expertise. 

A host of high-profile sports business experts from the UK and overseas, symptoms including Manchester City Council Chief Executive, Sir Howard Bernstein MBE, and Soccernomics author Professor Stefan Szymanski, will speak at the event, taking place at Liverpool’s BT Convention Centre on Thursday, July 17, and at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium, on Friday, July 18. 

The iSportconnect announcement comes just days after a partnership was launched with UK Trade and Industry for the Congress, which supports the range of international sports business experts taking part. 

Former Vice-Chair of London 2012, Sir Keith Mills, will join the panel for a discussion on how sport can positively impact urban communities. He will be joined by Rio De Janeiro Professor, Sandra Jovchelovitch, who teaches at the London School of Economics and is an expert on urban communities and social change; and Jene Elzie, Vice President of Marketing for the NBA.

Taking place as part of this year’s major International Festival of Business in Liverpool, the Congress focuses on the interplay between cities, brands and sport. The North West of England is the home of several of the world’s most iconic sports brands and events and the Congress will bring the two sport rival cities of Liverpool and Manchester together for a spectacular programme of sports business leaders. 

Speakers over the two days include

• – Sir Howard Bernstein – CEO, Manchester City Council 
• – Ian Ayre – Managing Director, Liverpool Football Club
• – Robert Elstone –  CEO, Everton Football Club
• – Ian Edmondson – Head of Major Events, London & Partners
• – Paul Samuel – Executive VP Europe, AEG Global Partnerships
• – Nick Varley – Founder, Seven46
• – Dr Tom Markham – Manager EMEA Football, Sport and Leisure, PwC
• – Maurice Watkins CBE – Senior Partner and Head of Sport, Brabners
• – Dr Geoff Pearson – Football Industry Group, University of Liverpool
• – Professor Stefan Szymanski – University of Michigan
• – Professor Greg Whyte OBE – Liverpool John Moores University
• – Professor Keith George – Head of RISES, Liverpool John Moores Universtiy 

Richard Morris, International Sport Business Congress Event Director, said: “Joining up with iSportConnect is great for highlighting the excellent line-up of speakers at the event. The Congress is really gathering momentum now and this link up comes on the back of the partnership with UK Trade & Investment, which is fantastic in recognising the impact and opportunities sport presents for business and economic development.  Sport is huge and universally enjoyed and sport business is becoming a massive talking point, so we are delighted to be bringing international experts to the North West.” 

Michael Cunnah, Chairman of iSportconnect, added: “It is great to partner with the International Sport Business Congress. I’m looking forward to the event already.” 

The International Sport Business Congress is in partnership with Liverpool Vision, Marketing Manchester, and the University of Liverpool, creating a unique event in a region where sport has achieved global success and recognition and where the business of sport is one of the key drivers of the local economy. 

For tickets visit http://www.internationalsportbusinesscongress.com/registration. Use promo code ‘early bird’ to get 20% off. 

Keep up to date with the latest news on Twitter by following @CityBrandSport

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The English Table Tennis Association has announced that Chairman Andy Seward passed away on January 15th.

Seward, discount 69, became Chairman of the ETTA following an election in early 2013 and took over the post in July 2013. His arrival co-incided with what was probably the most challenging time in the history of the sports national governing body.

The ETTA had failed to secure long-term funding from Sport England and an independent review had shown that the ETTA and the sport were in need of a radical overhaul.

Andy approached this task with dedication, determination and a commitment to ensure that table tennis was put firmly ‘back on the right course’. He set about making fundamental changes to the structure of the organisation; the administration of sport in the regions; the relocation of head office in a purpose-built central building; and introduced major changes to the governance of the sport.

Sara Sutcliffe, CEO of the ETTA, said: “In a short period of time as the ETTA Chairman, Andy made a major contribution to the future of English table tennis. He had a vision to make the sport and the ETTA, as its governing body, fit for the 21st century.

“To that end, he worked tirelessly and laid the foundation for the future. The sport of table tennis and the ETTA are indebted to him.

“He had spent a life time involved in table tennis as a player, umpire, volunteer and representative, but it is likely that the work he has achieved as Chairman of the ETTA will be his lasting legacy and of long-term benefit to the sport and all who participate in it.

“We are all deeply saddened to have lost a trusted friend and a valued colleague. It is now our responsibility to him to continue the work he was so passionate about and to ensure that his vision for the future of English table tennis becomes a reality.”