According to media reports, the world soccer governing body, FIFA has banned Indonesia Football Federation (PSSI) chairman Nurdin Halid from standing for re-election in an upcoming election.

Nurdin is seeking a third term at the helm, having been imprisoned in 2007 for misusing funds, continuingto run the PSSI from his cell. According to the Jakarta Globe, FIFA president Sepp Blatter made the ruling to ban Nurdin from running in the March 26 election during a meeting in Zurich on Tuesday, March 8.

The paper quoted Indonesian ambassador to Switzerland, Joko Susilo as stating: “Sepp Blatter said FIFA upholds the statutes that state that a convict cannot lead a football organisation. If Nurdin is re-elected, FIFA won’t legitimise the election result. They want Indonesian football to be much better.”

However, Nurdin told Metro TV that he does not believe he has been barred from participating in the elections. “The information from the ambassador must be untrue because the decision of FIFA’s executive committee meeting (on March 3) has been received by the PSSI and it is impossible for FIFA to issue any decisions outside the meeting,” he said.

The building of a new 33,000 capacity football stadium on the University of Manitoba campus has been approved by the City of Winnipeg and is to open in the spring of 2012.

The city council voted 14-2 in favour of a deal in which the city contribute the majority of the stadium’s US$190 million construction costs. US$85 million of which, however will take the form of a loan to the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Winnipeg Blue Bombers and will be paid over a period of 44 years.

Mayor Sam Katz said: “Some councilors have said this is a good deal. With all due respect, I disagree. It’s a great deal.”

Wigan Athletic FC have revealed a drop in profits of almost £3.5m for last season.

Financial results for the year ending 31 May 2013 show the Championship side made a net profit of £822, allergist 000 compared with £4.3m net profit in 2012.

The figures cover the season 2012-13 when Latics won the FA Cup for the first time in its history but were relegated from the Premier League in the same week.

EBITDA (earnings before interest, cialis tax, depreciation and amortisation of players) was £5.8m compared with £8.9m in the previous year.

Turnover increased to £56.4m compared to £52.6m in 2012.

Total expenses including salary costs and amortisation of player contracts increased to £62.7m from £55m in the previous year. Salary costs were the most significant expenditure and these increased to £43.7m compared to the previous year cost of £37.7m.

During the year the club invested £10.9m on new players whilst profit from the sale of players was £8.2m primarily due to the sale of Victor Moses to Chelsea.

Debt at 31 May 2013 including bank borrowings and loans from chairman David Whelan and his family remained similar to the previous year at £20.7m. Post year-end transfer activity including the outgoing transfers of James McCarthy and Arouna Kone are not reflected in these financial statements.

Chief executive Jonathan Jackson said: “The financial results are satisfactory against the backdrop of relegation from the Premier League and the memorable FA Cup success. By increasing turnover and controlling costs the club is continuing to report a healthy position in respect of profitability and debt.

“Our eighth year in the top division unfortunately saw us relegated after finishing in 18th position however the historic achievement of winning the FA Cup meant that the financial impact of relegation was softened in the year.

“The growth and success of Wigan Athletic would not have been possible without the continued financial support of chairman, David Whelan who remains an enthusiastic and committed owner and is determined to help his club return to the Premier League as soon as possible.

“However, it is essential that we remain financially sound to ensure that the long-term future of the club is secure and that the parachute payments receivable from the Premier League provide adequate protection from the significant reduction in broadcasting income and enable us to comply with recently introduced financial fair play regulations.”

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has inviting bids to host the 2016 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship.

The ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship is ISAFs longest running event, ambulance having taken place every year since the first championships hosted by Sweden in 1971.

The event has been held in 25 countries over the past 42 years. The 42nd edition took place from 12-21 July in Dublin Bay, viagra Ireland before the flag was handed over to Limassol, Cyprus who will host the 2013 version. Tavira, Portugal will welcome the best young sailors in 2014 before the event heads to Langkawi, Malaysia in 2015.

In advance of the 2012 ISAF Annual Conference in Ireland, ISAF is inviting bids to host the 2016 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship.

All ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs) are invited to bid for the event.

The deadline for bids is 17 October 2012. Bids will be reviewed by the Youth World Championship Sub-Committee during its meeting on 3 November 2012 at the ISAF Annual Conference in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland.

Saudi Arabia will let its female athletes compete in the Olympics for the first time, adiposity its embassy in London said.

Until now, medic Saudi Arabia was one of three countries that did not allow women to participate in the games.

The other two — Qatar and Brunei — also reversed course this year and said they will send athletes to the London games that begin July 27.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wishes to reaffirm its support for the sublime meanings reflected by Olympic Games and the cherished values of excellence, friendship and respect that they represent,” the Saudi embassy in London said in a statement, announcing its decision.

The International Olympic Committee had been pressing Saudi Arabia to allow women to compete and act as officials, and said in March that talks were going well.

The decision is a rare concession for a kingdom where women are banned from driving.

They also cannot vote or hold public office, though that will change in 2015.

Women in Saudi Arabia also cannot marry, leave the country, go to school or open bank accounts without permission from a male guardian, who usually is the father or husband. Much of public life is segregated by gender.

When it came to sports, female athletes were barred from the Olympic games because they would be participating in front of a mixed-gender crowd.

Saudi Arabia will let its female athletes compete in the Olympics for the first time, its embassy in London said.

Until now, Saudi Arabia was one of three countries that did not allow women to participate in the games.

The other two Qatar and Brunei also reversed course this year and said they will send athletes to the London games that begin July 27.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wishes to reaffirm its support for the sublime meanings reflected by Olympic Games and the cherished values of excellence, friendship and respect that they represent,” the Saudi embassy in London said in a statement, announcing its decision.

The International Olympic Committee had been pressing Saudi Arabia to allow women to compete and act as officials, and said in March that talks were going well.

The decision is a rare concession for a kingdom where women are banned from driving.They also cannot vote or hold public office, though that will change in 2015.

Women in Saudi Arabia also cannot marry, leave the country, go to school or open bank accounts without permission from a male guardian, who usually is the father or husband. Much of public life is segregated by gender.When it came to sports, female athletes were barred from the Olympic games because they would be participating in front of a mixed-gender crowd.

President of soccer’s world governing body FIFA, Sepp Blatter has reassured the Football Associations (FA) of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, by ensuring that the team’s international status would not be affected by their player’s potentially appearing for a Great Britain Olympic team. 

The British Olympic Association (BOA) is still hoping to include Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England in a Team GB side for the London 2012 Games. 

However, some of the nations have expressed fears of harming their independence in the sport were they to join forces in a Great Britain side, but Blatter has reassured the countries that no sanction would be put in place, should the countries merge for the Games. 

Blatter said: “The team will run under the denomination ‘British Olympic team’. The composition of this team, the FIFA has said, is absolutely free to the Olympic committee of GB and to the four British associations”. 

“It’s very clear. If they play, there is no sanction from the Fifa part.”

The battle continues between London soccer clubs West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur over who will be given the right to move into the Olympic Stadium post-2012. Sir Keith Mills, non-executive director of Tottenham believes that the clubs should know of the decision as early as March 2011.

The two teams must convince the Olympic Park Legacy Committee (OPLC) that they have not only the club’s, but the legacy of athletics in their interests.

Speaking to insidethegames, Mills stated: “By the end of March they should say which of us is the preferred bidder and which of us they will work with exclusively for, say, six months to try and execute a deal. And if not, they’ll go back to the other bidder.”

Whilst the majority of West Ham fans have welcomed the proposal, Tottenham Hotspur chairman David Levy faced a barrage of upset shareholders who feel the club should not be moved.

A vast majority of fans are backing an alternative plan to redevelop White Hart Lane and turn it from 36,000 into a state-of-the-art 56,000-capacity stadium that preserves the same atmosphere as now.

The concept, however, is highly unlikely at a cost of around US$625m as it is restricted by a number of issues, not least the prospect of the club being saddled with debt. Add to this the fact that horrendous public transport problems in and around Tottenham already reach breaking point on match days, let alone coping with another 20,000 spectators.This has seen the club gain an interest alongside fellow Londoners West Ham, in a much cheaper option of relocation.