UK Sports Minister Hugh Robertson has appealed to soccer club Tottenham Hotspur not to put London’s bid for the 2017 World Athletics Championship at risk.

The English Premier League team is seeking a judicial review of the decision to award the stadium to West Ham United after the Olympics.

Tottenham’s defeated bid for the stadium included removing the athletics track, which would render the stadium as unable to host further athletics events.

On September 1, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will announce candidate cities.

If the legal action is continuing after then, the bid for the championships may have to be withdrawn.

Robertson said: “We need to confirm a bid by 1 September. The key thing is if we can get Tottenham’s and Leyton Orient’s appeal through the High Court and, I would say, dismissed.

“If the High Court is not settled we don’t have a secure venue. That would make it very difficult to bid.”

West Ham United is due to move into the stadium, in Stratford, east London, in the summer of 2013.

But Tottenham were unhappy with the processes which led to this decision and are seeking a judicial review into the roles of several other key parties involved.

He added: “I would hope Tottenham would see the greater good to London, maybe it’s a fond hope.

Tottenham Hotspur has not yet responded to Mr Robertson’s comments.

The Qatar capital of Doha is favourite to win the 2017 event with Budapest and an as yet unnamed Spanish city also competing.

John Scott, the chief executive of the Organising Committee (OC) for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, has resigned with immediate effect after admitting an “error of judgement” in the breaking of rules with regards to accepting gifts and hospitality from a potential supplier.

Lord Smith, chairman of Glasgow 2014, said in a statement: “John Scott has made an important contribution to the planning of what we believe will be an outstanding Games.

“The Board has accepted his resignation today for an error of judgement he made in accepting, and not declaring, an offer from one of Glasgow 2014’s potential suppliers, in breach of the Organising Committee’s strict gifts and gratuities policy.”

Scott had joined Glasgow 2014 in April 2008 from UK Sport, where he had been the·International Director and Director of Drug-Free Sport.

Smith said: “I know he deeply regrets this mistake and this was a job that he loved.

“It is a measure of the man that he has put the values and reputation of the OC ahead of his own at this time.

“John was largely responsible for setting the OC’s high standards of governance and he felt he could not continue in his role as chief executive under the circumstances.”

David Grevemberg, the chief operating officer, will take charge of the Organising Committee until a permanent appointment is made.

Smith said: “Now we must look to the future.

“We have a great team in the Organising Committee and a strong relationship with our Games Partners.

“We are on track and on budget and do not intend to let the pace of our preparations drop.”

Scotland’s Commonwealth Games Minister Shona Robison reacted by saying: “John Scott has made a valuable contribution as chief executive of the Organising Committee.

“He played a leading role in ensuring the delivery of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow remains on schedule and within budget.

“However, the reputation and integrity of our Games is paramount and to that end I believe Mr Scott has done the right and principled thing in stepping down.

“The standards that apply in a company responsible to the public are of necessity higher than those which prevail in private business and I fully support the decision taken by the Organising Committee.”

English League One Club club Doncaster Rovers have confirmed that they are in talks regarding a possible takeover, tadalafil following reports that One Direction member Louis Tomlinson is hoping to buy the club.

The Doncaster-born singer played, who played for the reserve team, is reportedly planning to link up with former chairman John Ryan and launch a buy-out of the club, who were relegated to League One on the final day of the Championship season.

Rovers released a statement on Friday afternoon which read: “Following reports in the media, the owners of Doncaster Rovers can confirm that they have been approached and dialogue has taken place with external parties about a proposed takeover.

“At this stage the club is not in a position to comment further about the level and detail of those discussions, but will do so as soon as it is legally possible.

“The owners are looking to ensure a swift resolution to the discussions to ensure that this does not impact adversely on the summer transfer activity.

“Any decision made by the current owners will focus on what is best for Doncaster Rovers in both the short and long term.”

English League One club Swindon Town have announced Jed McCrory has stepped down as chairman.

McCrory, who arrived at the County Ground in February, will also leave the club’s board of directors with immediate effect, with health reasons cited as one of the factors behind his decision to step down at a board meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

The announcement comes on the same day as Town earlier confirmed a change of ownership to Swinton Reds 20 Ltd, controlled by director of football Lee Power, who has also now become the new chairman of the club as well as owner.

A statement on Swindon’s official website read: “Jed stepped into the club at a time of need and we all agree has rejuvenated the club and the community. He has instilled pride back into STFC and the town of Swindon.

“As close friends and family are aware, Jed has had recurring health issues which have taken their toll over the 14-hour days he has devoted to taking the club from relative obscurity to respectability.

“He leaves the club having established a robust, proven business model, as well as a team that sits seventh in the League One table, are in the area semi-finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and displaying some of the most attractive football in the division.”

McCrory himself added: “I would like to thank all the staff for their personal support, the sponsors for sticking with the team during the difficult times and finally, the fans for supporting me.

“I am extremely proud to have got to know most of you. I will miss walking around the club before the game.”

“This decision is made with a heavy heart but I have always believed that the club must come before the man.”

Boosted by a successful Olympics, medic tickets for the Paralympics continue to sell well.

Now the International Paralympic Committee is bullish about selling out the Games for the first time in their 52-year history.

With a little over two weeks to go, cheap 2.1 million of the 2.5 million seats have been sold. That’s more than Athens (850,000) and Sydney (1.2 million) combined. Beijing shifted 1.8 million tickets and gave a similar amount away to fill venues.

Although most of the remaining tickets are for events at ExCel (£10 for a day pass) and outside London, it’s still possible to get into the Olympic Park. At the time of writing, tickets are available for the Opening Ceremony, five-a-side, wheelchair basketball, and closing ceremony.

Verizon Wireless has agreed a partnership with NBA’s Phoenix Suns to launch their first-ever smartphone mobile app, available for Android, iOS and BlackBerry operating systems.

The official app features the latest Suns news, blog posts, photos and on-demand video, from the producers of Suns.com. Verizon Wireless customers with Android or BlackBerry operating system smartphones will have access to additional exclusive video content using the app.

Social media users can get the latest Suns Facebook updates, Instagram photos and aggregated tweets from the team’s front office and players, and send tweets and post comments from within the app, as well as “check-in” via Foursquare or Facebook Places while attending games.

The official Suns app will be a must-have for fans on game nights, whether at US Airways Center, at home in front of their TV, or for those out-and-about looking to keep tabs on all of the action. With real-time scoring, box scores, play-by-play and shot charts, the Suns’ app is loaded with live statistics. Fans within Arizona will also be able to listen to the Suns’ radio broadcasts, featuring Al McCoy and Tim Kempton.

Fans attending games, concerts or events at US Airways Center can quickly find the nearest restroom, concession stand or team shop via the app’s map functionality.

“We are always exploring new ways to connect with fans,” said Jeramie McPeek, Suns Vice President of Digital. “Working hand-in-hand with Verizon Wireless and our developer, YinzCam, we believe we have built an app that will enhance the experience of being a Phoenix Suns fan.”

The Suns plan to introduce a tablet version of the app during the 2012-13 season for both Android and iOS platforms, as well as new game elements, contests, special offers and video replays for fans in-arena. The Suns were the first NBA franchise to fully integrate wireless tablet technology into both their business and basketball operations in February of this year.

English Premier League soccer club Liverpool have admitted that has admitted it is looking increasingly unrealistic that the Reds will be able to redevelop Anfield, chief executive Ian Ayre said.

The club had hoped to increase capacity at the ground to 60,000 from 45,000.

But Ayre said in a statement: “Land/property acquisition, environmental and statutory issues are creating barriers to our ambition.

“It looks increasingly unlikely there is any way we can move forward on a refurbishment of Anfield.”

On Thursday, Reds owner John W Henry said on Twitter that there were “so many obstacles” preventing the refurbishment of Liverpool’s home of the past 119 years.

Previous owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett had hoped to build a new stadium in Stanley Park but Henry, whose Fenway Sports Group successfully redeveloped Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park stadium, favours an upgrade of Anfield.

Ayre continued: “In the nine months since the new ownership, an enormous amount of work has been undertaken to explore the building of a new stadium as well as exploring a refurbishment solution.

“In terms of a Stanley Park stadium versus redevelopment, there is absolutely no question that a refurbishment of Anfield would come at a significantly lower cost than a new build.

“It’s disappointing that based on where we are at the moment, we seem to be unable to press on with the more viable economic option of a refurbishment, but we remain committed to finding the best possible long-term solution.”

Liverpool City Council leader Joe Anderson added: “We fully appreciate that the new owners have made real progress over the past nine months since they took over, and we will continue to support what they are trying to deliver.

“However, it is unfortunately the reality that the debate and discussions over a new stadium have gone on for many years, causing a great deal of frustration and uncertainty within the local community.

“Although we are fully supportive of the club, we can’t ignore the fact that the clock is and has been ticking, and people need certainty about the development.

“We will be pressing for a decision as soon as is practically possible that will benefit Liverpool FC and deliver the much needed regeneration that the area so badly needs.”

Atlanta based Helios Partners, in a joint statement with its sister company Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), announced the formation of Helios Partners Europe, a new business unit that will capitalize on the opportunities and rapid growth of the sports marketing industry throughout Europe.

Helios Partners Europe will focus on global business development in close collaboration with A.S.O. The unit will be led by Chris Renner, a 20-year industry veteran who most recently oversaw the company’s Beijing-based division as President of Helios China. While assuming responsibility for developing the European market, he will continue to oversee Helios’ operations in China. With Renner’s relocation to Paris, Helios establishes a centralized European operation that will provide an ideal foundation for aggressive growth through stronger alignment and resource efficiencies with A.S.O.

“We are looking forward to sharing our skills with Helios Partners Europe, who will bring to the business its strong bid city and brand consulting expertise in relation to big events such as the Olympic Games. The blending of our complementary strengths will create additional value for our clients and events alike,” said Yann Le Moenner, CEO of A.S.O.

Renner began his sports marketing career in Switzerland with ISL Worldwide. During the late 1990s, Renner developed ISL’s Asia Pacific business. Along with opening offices in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo, Renner also oversaw development and sales of a record-breaking sponsorship program for the Asian Games. Moving to Beijing in 2005, Renner developed Helios Partners into one of China’s leading sports marketing consultancies, representing international blue-chip clients and some of the country’s most prestigious brands including FedEx and Lenovo, as well as a roster of sports properties such as Major League Baseball International and FIFA.

“I am energized by the prospect of working with our partners at A.S.O., who have a proven expertise and record of success in all areas related to the creation, production and promotion of sporting events,” said Renner. “In addition, with the next two Olympic Games taking place in London and Sochi, we have an excellent opportunity to leverage Helios’ collective sponsorship and consulting experience to grow our business in the UK and Russian markets.”

Serving a wide range of global clients, with offices in Atlanta, London, Paris and Beijing, Helios Partners specializes in sponsorship consulting, sports property representation and bid city and organizing committee consulting.

A.S.O. is a global leader in sport event management, owning and operating 25 events across four continents, with world-renowned properties such as the Tour de France, Dakar Rally and the Paris International Marathon among those in the company’s portfolio.