Dubai-based investment bank GFH Capital have finally agreed a deal to takeover Leeds United for £44m, subject to Football League approval.

GFH Capital Limited will then become 100% shareholders in the Elland Road club and they have promised extra funds for manager Neil Warnock to bolster his squad.

GFH Capital executive David Haigh joins the board with immediate effect, while fellow GFH Capital executives Hisham Alrayes and Salem Patel will come on board in December.

Ken Bates will remain as chairman until the end of the season before handing over to a new GFH Capital-led chairman, with Bates then becoming club president.

“I can confirm we have now completed all the negotiations with GFH Capital,” Bates told the club’s official website.

“We have completed the first part of the purchase and they will be taking over 100 per cent of the club. Meanwhile, there is a transitional period while they get to know more about the club.

“I will continue as chairman until the end of the season when I will take over as president and I look forward to sitting back and taking more time off. Neil Warnock will continue as manager with more support than the present owners have been able to give and we look forward to a smooth transition.

“One thing I can say that has benefited from the negotiations is that this six-month courtship has given GFH Capital the opportunity to see the strengths and weaknesses and what needs to be supported. You can look forward to a smoother transition than we’ve seen at a lot of clubs.”

Haigh was delighted the takeover had been completed and thanked the club’s supporters for their patience.

“After a long process of negotiations, spanning Leeds, London, Monaco, Dubai and Bahrain, it gives us great pride today, to have completed the deal for Leeds United,” he said.

“We have today injected further funds into the club and now we look to the future and start the exciting journey to take Leeds United back into a prime position in English football once again.

“From a Leeds family myself and a supporter since childhood, I know that football is at the very heart of the people of Leeds and the wider community.

“We want to thank all the fans in the UK and around the world for their patience and support while the negotiations have been taking place. Let’s now march on together, taking the club back to the Premier League as soon as possible.”

IOC vice president, prostate Sir Craig Reedie will be heading the Evaluation Commission for the 2020 Olympics.

Reedie will be joined by IOC colleagues Guy Drut of France, denture Frank Fredericks of Namibia, Nat Indrapana of Thailand, Claudia Bokel of Germany (representing the Athletes’ Commission), Pat McQuaid of Ireland (representing the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations) and Olympic Games Executive Director Gilbert Felli of Switzerland as well as Eduardo Palomo of El Salvador (representing the Association of National Olympic Committees) and Andrew Parsons (representing the International Paralympic Committee).

Joining the Commission will be IOC Sports Director Christophe Dubi and IOC Head of Bid City Relations Jacqueline Barrett, as well as a number of advisors, still to be appointed. 

Commenting on the membership of the Commission, IOC President Jacques Rogge said, “We’ve assembled a strong and highly knowledgeable group of individuals led by the experienced Sir Craig Reedie, who knows as well as anybody what it takes to host a sustainable, well-organised and ultimately successful Olympic Games. The three 2020 Candidate Cities will all benefit greatly from their interactions with the Commission.” 

Sir Craig Reedie said: “I am honoured to have been chosen as head of the 2020 Evaluation Commission, which brings with it a wide range of experience and represents all facets of the Olympic Movement, in particular the athletes. I look forward to working with my fellow Commission members and the three Candidate Cities in the run-up to next September’s election.” 

The 2020 Candidate Cities, which all recently took part in the IOC’s Observer Programme during the London 2012 Olympic Games and will also participate in the London 2012 Debriefing in November in Rio de Janeiro, have until 7 January 2013 to submit their Candidature Files to the IOC. 

After an analysis of these files, the Commission will visit each city and spend four full days with each bid team. Together they will examine the 14 themes of the IOC’s candidature questionnaire, which includes topics such as vision and legacy, transport, accommodation, finance and environment, and visit the competition and non-competition sites and venues proposed in the bid. 

The visit dates, based on logistical considerations and not the official order of drawing of lots, will be as follows: 

4 – 7 March 2013	Tokyo
18 – 21 March 2013	Madrid
24 – 27 March 2013	Istanbul

Around these official visit dates, the Commission will also hold a number of private meetings to prepare for and follow up on each visit.

 

Soccerex have announce that Aldo Rebelo, viagra Minister of Sport for Brazil will be participating in the official opening ceremony of the Soccerex Global Convention, 24-28 November, Rio de Janeiro.

He will be joining Soccerex Chairman, Tony Martin as well as other dignitaries for the ceremony which takes place on the Monday morning of the event, after the weekend’s spectacular Football Festival on Copacabana Beach.

Aldo, who attended the Soccerex Global Convention last year, is a key player in the successful delivery of the World Cup and will provide insights into the Governments plans and progress. Duncan Revie, Soccerex CEO commented ‘With the World Cup fast approaching, to have such an important member of the event’s delivery already confirmed to open our event is a great privilege and a mark of great distinction for Soccerex.’

The Soccerex Global Convention is a five day business event consisting of a comprehensive seminar line-up, a number of networking opportunities, a two-day football festival and a packed exhibition which is already close to selling out.

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.

Ashley Brown, Chairman of the Pompey Supporters’ Trust has welcomed the High Court finally setting a date for the court case which will determine Portsmouth’s fate.

Administrator Trevor Birch of PKF has announced the case to determine whether he can sell the club to the PST-led bid will be heard on December 13 and 14. 

“It is a relief to know we will have some certainty sooner rather than later,’ said Ashley. ‘Our understanding is the matter will be resolved at this hearing as there is unlikely to be any grounds for any appeal. 

“If all goes according to plan, and our legal advisors say we have a strong case, we will take control of Portsmouth FC shortly afterwards and the process of rebuilding our club can begin. 

“That is why we are urging fans to fulfil their pledges or purchase shares by that date. The more working capital we can raise quickly, the more control we will have over the situation and the quicker we can get going with our plans. 

“We are very encouraged by the initial response to the share offer. There is a steady stream of pledges and new purchases of shares arriving hourly; so many that we haven’t been able to count them yet. 

“However fans can’t relax. This share offer needs to be a success or else there is a significant chance the club will be liquidated. There is no alternative offer on the table, so we have to make this work,’ he added. 

The executive director of the Russian Olympic Committee Nikolai Tolstykh has been elected the President of the Russian Football Union.

The post was vacant after former head Sergey Fursenko resigned following Russia’s poor performance at Euro 2012.

In a second-round runoff Tolstykh gained 148 votes, 24 more than his main rival and Russian Premier League head Sergey Pryadkin, who was backed by the Premier League’s 16 clubs.

“I would like to thank everyone for the trust shown in me to head the Russian Football Union – and it is a union – of people who love football and are faithful to it,” Tolstykh said in his acceptance speech.

“It’s a huge responsibility, and I’ll do everything that depends on me … to help Russian football develop successfully.”

The former Dynamo Moscow midfielder and former head of Russia’s top football division, Tolstykh has 25-years of experience in the game. He is known as a supporter of greater governmental involvement in football.

Before the vote, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, an ardent advocate of a shakeup in the Russian football, publically supported Tolstykh, calling him the best possible candidate for the post.

Several top club officials, who would likely have supported Tolstykh’s opponent, stepped down from the executive committee of the Russian Football Union last week.

By Ismail Uddin

Portsmouth Supporters Trust (PST) Chairman, adiposity Ashley Brown has revealed they will look to re-energise the English League One team following its recent decline.

The PST have agreed a provisional deal for the financially stricken club which will be finalised once Portpin, who own Fratton Park agree to sell the stadium and administrators PKF are going to court to secure the rights.

Brown is optimistic that once the takeover is agreed they the long-term stability of the club will take precedence over short-term goals.

“Consolidation of the club and avoiding relegation would be a good start but stability is the key that’s where all football clubs are going to think about longer term. We got to be realistic, you can’t spend money the club hasn’t got and find ourselves back in front of the courts being wound-up and liquidated. We have to base it on sound business ground,” he told iSportconnect.

Brown also suggested that league progression may take several years and the Premier League would be difficult in the short-term.

He said: “There are going to be some quick wins and things we can do fairly quickly behind the scenes. But we have to be realistic; climbing back up the divisions may take a number of years. I thinks it’s realistic to think we can bring the club back into the Championship in the relative short term but everyone knows that climb between the Championship and Premiership is hugely difficult.

“You are competing now with a lot of clubs who have benefitted from parachute payments and therefore can equalise wage bills, so that final step (to the Premier League) will undoubtedly be a tough one.”

Brown also went on to criticise the previous management which left the club in it’s current predicament.

“We have had for a number of years where the club has suffered from serious mis-management even going back to the premiership years. Pompey had seven years of Premiership money coming through the doors and we have been left with no tangible benefits from that time.

“We still got a relatively basic ground and missed the opportunity to buy our own training ground. Of course we won the FA Cup which is tremendous and brought a great deal of excitement but so much money slipped through the fingers of previous administrations. Not only do we end up having nothing to show for it but we ended up owing millions and millions of pounds too many people,” he added.

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) has welcomed the appointment of Debbie Jevans by the England Rugby 2015 (ER 2015) Board as Chief Executive of the organising body responsible for the delivery of Rugby World Cup 2015.

Jevans succeeds Paul Vaughan, who has stepped down having guided the early stages of hosting preparation for Rugby’s showcase event since ER 2015’s establishment in December 2010.

As Director of Sport for the London 2012 Organising Committee, Jevans has been an instrumental figure in the delivery of the hugely successful Olympic and Paralympic Games that have captivated a nation and captured hearts and minds around the world.

RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Rugby World Cup Limited welcomes Debbie Jevans’ appointment as Chief Executive of ER 2015.”

“The successful delivery of one of the world’s largest sporting events is founded on a clear vision, partnership, teamwork and strong leadership. As a driving force behind the exceptional London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Debbie certainly possesses all the necessary attributes to drive the delivery of what promises to be a special tournament.”

“We are looking forward to continuing to work in partnership with ER 2015 Chairman Andy Cosslett, Debbie and the ER 2015 and RFU teams to drive forward key operational objectives. These include venue selection, the match schedule and ticketing programme development which will all set a strong base for an outstanding Rugby World Cup in 2015 of which England and the global Rugby family will be proud.”

“On behalf of RWCL and the IRB I would like to thank Paul Vaughan for his strong contribution to developing the early foundations for the delivery of Rugby World Cup 2015 in England and I wish him all the very best,” added Lapasset.

ER 2015 chairman Andy Cosslett said: “Debbie is hugely respected across sport.

“Rugby will benefit from her experience in leading large teams to deliver major sporting events to a global audience.”

“As a passionate sports fan the next decade is a great one for the UK and we have an amazing opportunity to bring rugby and the values of sport to more fans across the country than ever before,” she said.

Vaughan, who left his post by mutual consent, was business operations director at the Rugby Football Union for 10 years before he was appointed to ER 2015 in December 2010.

“We are grateful for all the hard work he and his team have put in to enable us to be ready for the next phase,” said Cosslett.

With a little over three years to go until England hosts a Rugby World Cup for the second time, a number of key milestones have been achieved in 2012, including setting the tournament dates and detailed venue assessments undertaken. The year will culminate in the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool Allocation Draw in London on December 3.

Qtel sign as Pearl Partner

Sportech 2012 are pleased to announce that Qtel have confirmed their partnership for the conference, cialis as Pearl Partner.  Qtel will be represented on the conference programme. Details to be announced shortly.  Qtel join BT, impotent Supply Chain Navigators, abortion Network Qatar, The Look Company and Creative Technology as partners.

Use the networking tool to connect with conference speakers and senior level attendees including:

• Perry Smith, Sports Business Adviser to President, Qatar Olympic Committee
• Paul Vaughan, CEO, England Rugby 2015
• Tim Boden, Technical Director, BT London 2012 Programme’  BT Global Services
• Sanjeev Katwa, Head of IT, Manchester City FC
• Khaled Helaly, Director, Strategy and Business Planning, Human Resources Directorate, Qatar Foundation
• Ralph Dietz, Head of IT, German Football Association, former Head of IT for FIFA 2006 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011
• Chris Myers, General Manager, Doha Golf Club
• Slobodan Delic, Director – Venue Technology Management and Results Services, Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games
• Mark Lichtenhein, CIO, The European Tour
• Ali Nasser Telfat, Secretary General, Qatar Sailing & Rowing Federation
• Ian Riddoch, Consultant, IMG
• Omar El Khalil, Corporate Development Manager, Aspire Logistics
• Ali Al Khayat, Executive Director, Basketball Federation
• Khalid Al-Hashmi, Executive Director of QCERT, ictQATAR

Conference Details & Timings
Workshop Day:                                                     7 May 2012
Conference Days:                                                8-9 May 2012
Networking Evening Reception                      8 May 2012
Venue:                                                                    Renaissance City Centre Hotel, Doha, Qatar
www.sportechconference.com