The former Rangers Football Club owed in excess of £94m in unpaid tax and penalties, administrators Duff & Phelps have revealed 

HM Revenue and Customs’ claim against the club totalled £94,426,217 – while Duff & Phelps are claiming £3,121,683 in fees.

Over £170,000 was paid to public relations companies for media consultancy as the club were plunged into administration.

A statement from Duff & Phelps read: “The joint administrators have continued to review the claims made by HMRC in the administration.

“The claims are largely made up of determinations issued by HMRC in accordance with Regulation 80, penalties and outstanding PAYE/NIC.

“The joint administrators have adjudicated on these claims and confirmed to HMRC that for voting purposes, their claim will be admitted for voting purposes at £94,426,217.22.”

The majority of that figure relates to the old club’s use of Employee Benefit Trusts, on which HMRC claimed unpaid tax and penalties in excess of £49m.

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Global Sports Forum Barcelona (GSFB), the world’s leading exchange platform for sporting movements, has today announced that London 2012 Paralympic and Olympic Games hopeful, Oscar Pistorius, will take part in the 4^th edition of the annual Forum, 7 – 9 March, 2012.

Double leg amputee Pistorius, who has achieved the “A” qualifying standard for the London 2012 Olympic Games, will join many of the world’s leading brands, government institutions, rights holders and governing bodies from sport already signed-up to attend the Forum, which has quickly established itself as one of the industry’s most influential thought leadership platforms.

The Paralympic legend, known affectionately as “The Blade Runner” will address the audience to talk about his development within the last year, which includes his remarkable achievement of competing in both the able-bodied and disability categories at the 2011 World Athletics Championships.

Lucien Boyer, General Commissioner of the Global Sports Forum Barcelona, said:

“The past 12 months have clearly been huge for Oscar Pistorius and we are delighted to welcome him back to the GSFB for the second year running, so he can update us on his achievements and inspire our delegates with his incredible personal story.”

“Our forum represents a unique opportunity for sporting legends to stand side by side and discuss the events shaping the sports industry, so I look forward to Oscar adding great value to these conversations.”

Pistorius joins an inspiring line-up of speakers already confirmed to take part in the Forum, which provides a year-long community for people to debate the latest issues and share opinions on sport. Ex-Footballer turned actor, Eric Cantona, LOCOG Chairman, Sebastian Coe, FC Barcelona President, Sandro Rosell, YouTube’s Head of Sports Content, Claude Ruibal, England 2015 CEO, Paul Vaughan and many more are already confirmed to take part.

Commenting on his role at the Global Sports Forum Barcelona, Oscar Pistorius said:

“I am very happy to be back in Barcelona for a second year running. With London 2012 nearly upon us, it is incredible to see how far Paralympic sport has come since this time last year, particularly since my appeal to compete alongside able bodied athletes was sanctioned by the IAAF. Competing at the Olympics remains to be my main purpose in life and I look forward to sharing my experiences of the last 12 months with the GSFB community.”

In an exclusive video interview for the GSFB community, Pistorius also gave his thoughts on qualifying for the Olympic Games in 2012. To view the video, in which he also talks about competing in the London 2012 Paralympic Games, go to the GSFB You Tube channel at: www.youtube.com/GSFBarcelona

Oscar Pistorius talks about his chances to qualify for the Olympic Games

Early-bird discount

The Global Sports Forum Barcelona 2012 will take place at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya (PCC) in Barcelona from 7 – 9 March.  Interested delegates are invited to register online at: http://globalsportsforum.mediactive.fr and follow the on-screen instructions.  A special early-bird discount of €450 + VAT for an individual three-day pass is currently available to anyone registering

before 29 January, 2012.  Five person Corporate passes (€1,800 + VAT) and special discounts for NGO representatives and students (€250 + VAT) also available.

Members of the press are invited to attend free of charge.

To view the latest list of speakers confirmed to take part in the Global Sports Forum Barcelona 2012, visit www.globalsportsforum.org/2012speakers

NBC Sports Network have announced a broadcast deal to air four ARCA Racing Series races in August, giving the national stock car racing series an even greater television presence.

Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America made the announcement today during the Scott 160 race event weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake.

“We couldn’t be more excited than to have the opportunity to secure additional exposure of the ARCA Racing Series on NBC Sports Network,” said Mark Gundrum, ARCA Vice President for Business Development and Corporate Partnerships. “This opportunity is great for the teams, sponsors and fans of the series.”

Three of the four NBC Sports Network events are scheduled to air on Thursday nights, with one event slated for Friday night. NBC Sports Network’s ARCA racing coverage premieres Thursday, August 1, with the Winchester Speedway race. The race from Berlin Raceway will air on Thursday, August 15 and the Madison International Speedway event will air on Thursday night, August 29. The event from the one-mile dirt oval at the Illinois State Fairgrounds will air on Friday, August 23.

“We look forward to presenting the excitement of the ARCA Racing Series to motorsports fans on NBC Sports Network for the first time,” said Mike Perman, Vice President, Programming, NBC Sports Group.

Arsenal have announced another healthy pre-tax profit and CEO Ivan Gazidis believes this will help sustain the club through the Financial Fair Play Scheme.

Arsenal’s operating profits fell to £32.3m in the year to the end of May from £45.8m last time as revenue gains were outweighed by wage costs.

The operating profit is before exceptional costs, depreciation and player trading.

Arsenal reports a profit from player trading of £26.0m against a loss of £14.6m last time with gains from a number of significant player sales, including Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, partially offset by higher amortisation charges.

Group turnover was £243.0m (2011: £255.7m). The fall was due to the expected lower level of property sales activity.

Revenues from football increased to £235.3m (2011: £225.4m) with commercial activities contributing £5.6 million of this growth.

Non-executive chairman Peter Hill-Wood said: “We have invested in the team and in the club’s infrastructure as a whole and this will continue. 

“UEFA’s new financial regulations have added a further emphasis to the need for a sound financial model. 

“That is why our activities to increase revenue are important. 

“Increased revenues allow us to continue to be competitive and to keep pace with the ever present cost pressures in the game.”

Gazidis believes Arsenal are in a good position to fulfil UEFA’s Financial Fair Play guidelines for clubs to live within their means.

He said in a statement: “Clubs, fans and other stakeholders in the game are demanding a more rational financial approach and this reinforces our conviction that our club is strongly placed to succeed over the long term.

“We have qualified for the Champions League for the 15th season in a row whilst off the pitch we have a business strategy and infrastructure that is helping us to grow our revenues.

“This revenue growth will provide sustainable funds for future investment in the team whilst keeping within the UEFA Financial Fair Play requirements. We can and will forge our own path to success.”

Former Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) chief executive, Tim Darby has become the general manager of the Exeter Racecourse.

Darby moves from Epsom Downs, where he helped to deliver the 2012 Investec Derby after rejoining the famous Surrey venue as marketing manager in October last year. He takes over his new role on 25th June from Alice Everitt, who has run Exeter Racecourse since February 2011 and worked at the course for more than five years.

For more than six years previously, Darby ran the PDC, which is the world’s leading promoter of professional darts. Prior to that he was marketing manager for The Jockey Club’s three racecourses near London – Epsom Downs, Kempton Park and Sandown Park – which then were grouped under the banner of United Racecourses.

Darby said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed as general manager at Exeter Racecourse. Alice and her team have done a fantastic job and I look forward to working with my new colleagues to continue this and to further develop the racecourse. Exeter is a wonderful venue that has a very bright future and I look forward to help shape that, both on the racing and the non-racing side.”

Paul Fisher, group managing director of Jockey Club Racecourses, added: “I’m very pleased Tim will run Exeter Racecourse for us. He has excellent senior experience working both inside and outside racing, and is well placed to take up his first racecourse management role. I’ve known Tim for more than 12 years and have every confidence he and the Exeter team will go from strength to strength together.

“I’d also like to thank Alice Everitt for the superb job she has done as general manager at Exeter and in her previous roles within Jockey Club Racecourses. She sees her future in a marketing-focused role and our door is always open should the right opportunity arise.”

Asian Football Awards Shortlist Announced for Wembley Stadium extravaganza.

The first ever Asian Football Awards (AFA) will take place at Wembley Stadium on 24th January 2012 where outstanding UK Asians will be honoured. This inaugaral event is expected to attract a premier list of guests to gather, support and celebrate outstanding Asians in football.

The AFA has been launched to recognise the great contribution to both the professional game and grassroots initiatives by individuals and groups across the UK with South Asian heritage. The FA and Kick It Out are supporting this landmark initiative. 

The events primary objective is to create an awareness of the positive efforts made by Asians within the UK football industry. It also aims to engage with organisations and individuals to help increase Asian participation levels in the UK.

The AFA are proud to announce that Sporting Equals are to be the Legacy Partner for the 2012 event. There has been tremendous support since the announcement of the awards last November that the organisers have decided that all profits will be used for legacy projects and future bursary disbursements for young elite Asian players.

Some of the AFA nominations include: Michael Chopra (Ipswich Town), Danny Batth (Wolves FC/Sheff Wed), Dr Zaf Iqbal (Liverpool FC), Manish Bhasin (BBC), The Zesh Rehman Foundation, Anwar Uddin (Barnet FC), Permi Jhooti (FIFA Ambassador), Chelsea Asian Soccer Star, Javed Khan (Premier League),Tony Fernandes and Lakshmi Mittal (QPR FC).

David Bernstein, FA Chairman: “The FA is committed to diversity and inclusion across all areas of the game and I’m delighted that the Asian football community are celebrating their achievements at Wembley Stadium.”

Baljit Rihal, Co-Founder Asian Football Awards: “We have received hundreds of inspiring nominations from across the country. It is such a pleasure to know that so many Asians are involved and passionate about the game of football. We hope that the Asian Football Awards can play a part by recognising great individuals, organisations and initiatives.”

“Our vision has always been to support the growth of Asians in UK football. Since we announced the event last year, the media attention and support from all across the industry has been phenomenal. I can proudly say that the Asian Football Awards will most definitely encourage more Asians to get involved in every aspect of the game.”

Arun Kang, CEO Sporting Equals: “Sporting Equals are delighted to be the legacy partner of the Asian Football Awards and believe that our Talent ID Programme, will provide real opportunities for talented young people to be exposed to high performance coaching, developing their skills and encourage more diversity in professional football.

We believe our partnership with the AFA can both deliver a meaningful legacy and continue to support our wider work.

Sporting Equals welcomes and recognises the importance of celebrating the achievements of Asians in football, looks forward to the AFA becoming a key annual event for the future, and working with them and other partners to facilitate change.”

Shalin Patel, Head of UK Marketing, Sony Entertainment Network “As an organisation, we have always had a close association with raising the profile of sport in the British Asian community and the Asian Football Awards are an exciting initiative which we are proud to associate with and help build support for. Good luck to everyone involved.”

For further information or tickets please contact Initiate Sports

Email: afa@initiatesports.com Call: +44(0) 8456 805 325

Zum 125. Geburtstag des Hamburger Sport-Vereins startet am Samstag, ailment 29. September 2012, store um 9.00 Uhr der Verkauf der HSV Jubiläums-Anleihe.

Der Hamburger Sport-Verein wird am 29. September 125 Jahre alt und stellt am selben Tag mit der Emission der Jubiläums-Anleihe die Weichen für die Zukunft. Über die Einnahmen aus der Anleihe wird das Nachwuchsprojekt “HSV-Campus” realisiert.

Die Zeichnungsfrist beginnt am Samstag um 09.00 Uhr. Ab diesem Zeitpunkt sind die drei Schmuckurkunden in Nennbeträgen von EUR 125,00, EUR 404,00 und EUR 1.887,00 sowie die global verbrieften Schuldverschreibungen in Nennbeträgen von 500 Euro bestellbar. Die Bestellung kann im Internet unter www.hsv-anleihe.de oder auch durch Abgabe eines schriftlichen Kaufantrages per Telefax oder im Service-Center des HSV erfolgen. Erhältlich ist der Kaufantrag auf der Website www.hsv-anleihe.de, im Service-Center des HSV in der Imtech Arena und in den Fanshops.

Die Angebotsfrist endet am 31.12.2012 oder mit vollständiger Platzierung der Schuldverschreibungen. Der HSV kann die Angebotsfrist zudem verlängern oder verkürzen.

Als Wertpapier für das Depot sind die global verbrieften Schuldverschreibungen in einer Stückelung von EUR 500,– konzipiert, im Mittelpunkt des Angebots stehen jedoch die attraktiv gestalteten Schmuckurkunden. Die Schmuckurkunden werden einzeln oder als 3er-Set mit allen drei Nennwerten ausschließlich gerahmt erhältlich sein. Seit dem 19. September sind alle Informationen rund um die Anleihe auf der Website www.hsv-anleihe.de nachzulesen

The head of ANOC Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah has been named the Olympic Solidarity President. 

His predecessor, order Mario Vázquez Raña, allergist resigned the post in March of this year and in 1981 together with former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch set up the Olympic Solidarity Commission.

Sheikh Ahmad, anabolics 48, told insidethegames: “We have much work to do. My election in Moscow [in April] was only the beginning.

“There are lots of changes that are needed in the constitution. Lots of articles that need to be changed. We have to work under the Olympic Charter and ensure better cooperation.”