Soccerex is delighted to announce that the President of the Confederation of North, price Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), doctor Jeffrey Webb, treat has confirmed that he will be attending the Soccerex Global Convention in Rio de Janeiro, 24-28 November 2012.

President Webb will be attending the event with the aim of exploring new opportunities for development in the CONCACAF region, through a series of meetings with other stakeholders in the industry. Mr Webb will be attending the event alongside confirmed representatives from other federations and leagues including FIFA, CBF, Paulista Football Federation, EPL; companies such as VISA, Nokia, Honda and IMG and football clubs such as Manchester United, FC Barcelona, Chelsea FC, Borussia Dortmund and Club de Regatas do Flamengo. With an estimated £250million worth of business expected to have been done through the 2011 edition of the event alone, the Global Convention is a business hotbed and an ideal opportunity for CONCACAF to offer its new vision to its colleagues and counterparts.

Mr Webb became President of CONCACAF in May 2012 and has been president of the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) since 1991. He has an extensive knowledge of the game through his senior positions as chairman of the FIFA Internal Audit Committee, member of the FIFA Transparency and Compliance Committee as well as Caribbean observer on the FIFA Executive Committee. Although he has only been in office since May, Mr Webb has already put forward influential changes to the CONCACAF set up by introducing a Gold Cup competition for women’s football and the prospect of relocating the men’s CONCACAF Gold Cup outside the United States from 2015 onwards, among other various structural changes within the confederation.

Commentating on the CONCACAF attendance, Mr Webb said:

“This gathering event is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new colleagues in order to exchange visions and ideas that promote the development of the game across the globe.”

Held in a purpose-built venue within the Forte de Copacabana, with panoramic views of both the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, the exhibition is a hub for business activity; as one of the main components of the convention it provides a platform for leading suppliers from around the world to showcase the latest industry products and services to delegates.

For further information about this event please call +44 (0)208742 7100 or visit www.soccerex.com/global.

Sepp Blatter, president of football’s governing body Fifa, has given England’s hopes of hosting the 2018 World Cup a boost after praising the country for its facilities and a successful crackdown on hooliganism.

Blatter was in London to meet Prime Minister David Cameron and urged other nations to follow England in adopting all-seater stadiums and take away fences at grounds.

Blatter said: “England is the motherland of football. England has given so much to football and England is going on to carry on giving much to football.

“You have given to the world security in the stadiums. You have built all your stadia, there are no fences and everyone is sitting.

“If only all the national associations in the world, and their leagues [had stadiums like this], we would have more fair play in our game.

“You did it. It’s a question of organisation and it is also a question of discipline and respect. You did it here and now we say where are the hooligans?”

Cameron added: “England is ready, willing and able to deliver the best World Cup ever and provide the biggest legacy ever. Not for us, not for this country, but for the world.”

The Chinese Olympic Committee have signed an eight-year partnership with Tencent for the internet giant to provide exclusive information for Chinese delegations at major international sports events.

As part of the deal, the COC will provide exclusive interviews of athletes, first-hand press releases and content to Tencent at 20 events, including the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics, the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics and two Asian Games in 2014 and 2019.

During the eight-year period, Tencent will also be authorized to market its brand by using the official symbol and image of the COC.

The partnership is the longest of its kind between a media organization and the COC.

“We should pay more attention to the impact of Internet media such as Tencent. Its social media platforms and sports and news channels have gained decent page views and the mobile news outlets have been the major platform for sports fans,” said Xiao Min, vice-chairman of the COC.

Since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Tencent has invested heavily in sports coverage. During the 2012 London Olympics, almost 70 percent of China’s mobile phone users consistently visited Tencent’s mobile Olympic channel for updates.

Third Division Scottish club Rangers board has announced they will commission an independent investigation into Charles Green and Imran Ahmad’s running of the club.

Green is under intense scrutiny after documents were released to the media this week claiming Craig Whyte is involved with the club.

Whyte, who owned Rangers prior to their liquidation, is banned from being a director of any Scottish Football Club.

A Rangers statement read: “The board has announced today it is to commission an independent examination and report in view of recent allegations in the media concerning the chief executive, Charles Green, the commercial director, Imran Ahmad, and their management of the club.

“The decision to commission the examination was taken unanimously by those in attendance at today’s meeting including non-executive and executive directors.

“The independent report will be commissioned and completed as speedily as possible and presented directly to the non-executive directors of the company.

“The chief executive will not be involved in the conduct of the examination.

“The board wishes to make clear that is not prejudging any of the issues involved and that the object of this exercise is to clarify the situation to the satisfaction of shareholders, supporters, staff and board members.

“Instructions recently given to lawyers in England and Scotland with a view to taking legal action to challenge these recent allegations will form part of the independent examination.”

The Eurosport Group have acquired live TV and digital rights in 36 of its European territories for the next two editions of the annual FIFA Club World Cup, seek held on 11-21 December 2013 and 10-20 December 2014 in Morocco. 

All matches, anabolics of both tournaments, will be broadcast on Eurosport France and Eurosport 2 in 35 northern, eastern and central European territories. Viewers can enjoy the same broadcast on internet and mobile with the Eurosport Player online simulcast TV service. 

The annual FIFA Club World Cup pits the club champions from FIFA’s six continental confederations and the host country league against each other for the crown of world football club of the year. 

This year the 10^th edition in Morocco includes Bayern Munich and South American Champions Atletico Mineiro, and will feature stars such as Frank Ribery, 2013 UEFA Best Player, and Ronaldinho, 1995 Golden Ball winner.