The Football Association (FA) have announced that they will back any credible challengers to Sepp Blatter’s re-election campaign to become FIFA president for a fourth term in June, senior FA figures have revealed.

The FA board is yet to take an official position on the vote as Blatter seeks a fourth term but members are said to feel it is time for a change.

One FA member claimed that they would even consider writing to Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam to urge him to stand against Blatter, stating: “We would consider contacting him to offer our support. We think three terms is enough.”

An FA spokesman added: “The matter has not been discussed but will be considered by the FA board when nominations have closed and the FIFA congress agenda has been published.”

The FA reacted angrily to England’s treatment during their bid to host the 2018 World Cup, claiming promises were broken by a number of ExCo members. They also felt that they were strung along in the bidding process once FIFA revealed that they had intended to promote the game in new territories after awarding the 2018 and 2022 editions to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Bin Hammam is a former ally of the 75-year-old FIFA president, but the 61-year-old has hinted that he might stand against him after revealing some concerns regarding the way the organisation is run amidst corruption allegations.

In his most recent comments about the FIFA presidential elections, Bin Hammam said on his Facebook account that “competition is the best way to make the organisation vibrant and alive”.

Sepp Blatter announced last year that he would be running for a record fourth term and stated on Saturday, March 5: “We are now in an elected process and the race is open. I have received support from different national associations to stand again.

“If I win then OK, if lose I say ‘thank you’ then go away. You will have your new face and then we will see what will happen.”

The FIFA president went on to add that he was not happy with the way his organisation got its message across, saying: “I’m not happy with what we do, because we could communicate a bit better [than] what we are doing and then the perception would be different.

“I’m trying to bring some social and cultural impact. If there are some other candidates then we will face other candidates. That’s a democratic system.

“The world will not stop and football will not stop.”

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Sky Sports have extended their partnership with a new five-year broadcast deal which will also see Sky Sports become a top level RFU partner, with a range of partnership rights for the first time. 

The agreement strengthens one of the longest running broadcast partnerships in sport, taking it until the end of the 2019/20 season, and the relationship between the RFU and Sky Sports into its third decade.

As part of the deal, Sky Sports will show exclusively live coverage of England’s autumn QBE Internationals from Twickenham, QBE Internationals before the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and 2019, plus the annual England spring fixture

RFU Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, Sophie Goldschmidt said, “We have a long term, trusted relationship with Sky Sports and are delighted that it is continuing. They have an acknowledged reputation as a premier worldwide broadcaster, who always look to take sport to new levels both editorially and in terms of innovation.

“We are looking forward to not only showcasing our England teams in the best possible way, but also to exploring opportunities to support the grassroots, so the whole game benefits further. The RFU is fortunate to have a group of modern, forward thinking, progressive partners and Sky clearly reflects these attributes as we look to the future.”

Sky Sports Managing Director, Barney Francis, added: “This new deal builds on our already successful partnership with the RFU. It offers our viewers even more live England rugby from the men’s, women’s and age grade game, and includes additional rights to enable us to support the game from the grassroots up to the elite level.

“At Sky Sports, we share the RFU’s aims to grow the sport before and after next year’s World Cup by investing across the game, and innovating with our coverage to reach new audiences.”

Super Rugby team Blues have appointed former Hamilton mayor Michael Redman as their new CEO replacing Andy Dalton. 

The Blues were forced to rethink their CEO position after Fairfax Media revealed Breakers boss Richard Clarke knocked back the job to remain with the three-time ANBL champion basketball franchise.

Redman has faced controversy in the past. As mayor and later CEO of the Hamilton City Council he was made a scapegoat for the $32 million blowout of the failed V8 Supercars street race. He was not helped by V8 promoters who went broke during the recession, owing local businesses and the city millions of dollars.

After the 56-page audit findings in 2011 were heavily critical of his role in the V8s saga, Redman was then forced to abruptly resign as head of Auckland council’s Tourism, Events and Economic Development agency – ATEED.

Despite those concerns, it is understood the 47-year-old was considered a standout candidate who also has a background in sports. He was a founder and director of the Breakers, but sold his interest in the club after being elected mayor of Hamilton. He also served seven years on the board of the Northern Districts Cricket Association, eventually becoming deputy chairman.

“The Blues are such an important part of this region’s identity and having moved into a new era with the private equity partnership, this is a fantastic opportunity to be part of the Blues future direction,” Redman said.

Blues chairman Tony Carter said Redman’s business leadership experience is one of the strengths he brings to the position.

“Michael’s leadership experience along with his marketing strength and ability to work constructively with a number of different stakeholders made him an ideal choice as CEO,” Carter said.

“He is an accomplished leader in both the private and public sectors and this will be highly valuable for the Blues in the development of our organisation.”

The city of Pozna? has chosen leading sports marketing agency Impact34, erectile part of Porta Communications Plc, buy to assist with the city’s bid for the 2018 Youth Olympics.

With offices in Istanbul and London Impact34 offers expert advice within the sports and entertainment industry. 

Pozna? was one of the host cities for the successful UEFA EURO 2012 and has hosted several major international events featuring Olympic discipline sports. These include the 2009 FISA World Rowing Championships and the ICF Canoe World Sprint Championships in 2010.

Previously Pozna? made a bid for the 2014 Youth Olympics, and narrowly lost out to Nanjing with an innovative bid that was widely praised by IOC members. Pozna? and the Polish Olympic Committee are determined to continue the sporting legacy and prove their commitment to the Olympic Movement with a second bid for the prestigious 2018 Youth Olympics.

Impact34 CEO, Bettina Kuperman commented; “We are delighted to have been chosen by Pozna? to help deliver their 2018 Youth Olympic bid to the IOC. We have seen the great development of the city in the last few years. The success from hosting major events such as the UEFA EURO 2012 has shown the world that Pozna? and Poland can stage and deliver world class major events. The city is committed to developing sport and hosting major international events. Pozna? offers great sporting and transport infrastructure and by hosting this great event Poland would also confirm its well deserved place in Olympic history.”

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has resolved found its Olympic team selection crisis by opting to send two doubles team to the London 2012.

The AITA will pair Leander Paes with Vishnu Vardhan and Mahesh Bhupathi with Rohan Bopanna. Bhupathi and Bopanna both “adamantly refused” to partner with 39-year-old Vardhan.

AITA President Anil Khanna said, “This decision is unfair to India No. 1 [Paes]. AITA holds Leander in very high esteem. We are confident that Leander won’t disappoint us as he has done yeoman’s service to the game.”

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Sepp Blatter, the president of world soccer’s governing body FIFA, says that the organisation has reserves of US$1.2bn after last year’s successful World Cup in South Africa.

Blatter told African football administrators that the financial results has increased from those of the previous 2006 World Cup hosted by Germany. He said more details of its success will be published next week in FIFA’s annual report.

The figure has seen a rise of $140m after FIFA began the World Cup year with reserves of $1.06bn.

Blatter was opening the Confederation of African Football assembly where he said the continent should be proud of organising the World Cup and said it had helped Africa gain pride and confidence.

English Championship club Burnley have appointed lifelong supporter Brian Nelson to their board of directors.

The Pendle resident became an associate director in 2011 and helped the club’s process of buying back both their stadium Turf Moor and the Clarets’ training ground.

“I am proud to join the board of the club I have supported all my life and an institution that I have already demonstrated my commitment to over the years,” said Nelson.

“The board has done a great job in positioning the club for a sustainable future and joining the team gives me an opportunity to support the club in a very practical way.”

Nelson becomes the fifth member on the Burnley board of directors, and co-chairman John Banaszkiewicz and Mike Garlick added: “We are delighted to welcome Brian to the board of directors.

“This appointment represents the next logical step for Brian, given his close association with the club over many years.

“He brings with him not just a wealth of business acumen and contacts, but also a passion for the club and the town – a vital combination in helping the board deliver our ambitious strategy.”