Gordon Taylor, Professional Footballers Association (PFA) chief has announced a six-point action plan to deal with racism in the game.

Recent criticisms have been raised after the incidents involving former England captain John Terry and the PFA chief executive insists the union is seeking tougher penalties for racist abuse.

Proposals include making racism a potentially a sackable offence, culprits ordered to attend awareness programmes and a form of the ‘Rooney rule’ to boost the number of black coaches and managers.

The list reads:

1 – Speeding up the process of dealing with reported racist abuse with close monitoring of any incidents.

2 – Consideration of stiffer penalties for racist abuse and to include an equality awareness programme for culprits and clubs involved.

3 – An English form of the ‘Rooney rule’ – introduced by the NFL in America in 2003 – to make sure qualified black coaches are on interview lists for job vacancies.

4 – The proportion of black coaches and managers to be monitored and any inequality or progress highlighted.

5 – Racial abuse to be considered gross misconduct in player and coach contracts (and therefore potentially a sackable offence).

6 – To not lose sight of other equality issues such as gender, sexual orientation, disability, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and Asians in football.

The Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games today announced the appointment of Marco Aurélio Costa Vieira as its new Chief Operating Officer.

Reporting to Rio 2016 Chief Executive Officer, apoplectic Leonardo Gryner, order Costa Vieira will lead Rio 2016’s Operations Department, and have responsibility for a number of key areas, including National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee relations, the Olympic and Paralympic Village, venues, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Games services, accommodation, transport, security, and technology.

Commenting on Costa Vieira’s appointment, President of Rio 2016, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, said: “As we approach four-years-to-go until the start of the Rio 2016 Games, we are delighted to have Marco join us as our new COO. He brings with him a wealth of multi-disciplined, large-scale management experience and I am positive that Marco will make a significant positive impact as Rio 2016 embarks on the next step of its journey to host the Games.”

Costa Vieira will now join the Rio 2016 delegation in London for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Doha, buy cialis 29 February: The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) has today announced that Magdy Abdel Ghany, here President of the Egyptian Professional Footballers’ Association, will speak at its annual conference being held next month, 14 – 15 March 2012. The International Sport Security Conference, which brings together key decision-makers, experts and practitioners in sport from around the globe, is taking place in Doha, Qatar.

A former Egypt international footballer with over 90 caps for his country, Mr Abdel Ghany is also a Board Member of the Egyptian Football Association. He has been at the forefront of calls to make football safer to help prevent such tragedies as were witnessed at Port Said in January this year. Mr Abdel Ghany will take part in the Conference panel entitled: Taking a Stand: Addressing Hooliganism and Violence in Football. Joining Mr Abdel Ghany on the panel is David Dein, Former Vice Chairman of the Football Association and one of the founding architects of the Premier League in England. Mr Dein will present a new documentary on the formation of the Premier League and will discuss hooliganism, crowd management and stadium safety. Helmut Spahn, Executive Director of the ICSS and Head of Security for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, will also take part in the session.

Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said: “Recent events in Egypt have tragically reminded us of the critical importance of hosting safe sporting events.  The ICSS is committed to enhancing security and safety in the world of sport and as part of our role we are presenting this key session on hooliganism and violence in football at our annual Conference. Magdy Abdel Ghany and David Dein join a distinguished line-up of speakers at the International Sport Security Conference. The event provides an important platform for sharing information and exploring best practice, as well as addressing the most pressing issues in sport today. The Conference is a must-attend event for organizing committees, bidding candidates, sport federations, sport security practitioners, and private sector organizations associated with major tournaments.”

Other speakers at the International Sport Security Conference include:

• Hassan Al-Thawadi, General Secretary of the Supreme Committee for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™   
  • Khoo Boon Hui, President, Interpol
  • Lord John Stevens, Former Commissioner, London Metropolitan Police
  • Sir Dave Richards, Chairman, Premier League
  • Bernard Lapasset, Chairman, International Rugby Board
  • Haroon Lorgat, Chief Executive, International Cricket Council
  • Peter Ryan, Security Advisor to the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
  • David Greer, Chief Executive, Skills for Security
  • J Parrish, Director of Global Sports,  AECOM
  • Kevin Underwood, Vice President for Master Planning, AECOM
  • Danny Jordaan, CEO, 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
  • Leonard McCarthy, Integrity Vice-President, World Bank
  • Koh Peng Keng, Director of Sports, Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports, Singapore
  • Nick Keller, Chairman, Sport Industry Group
  • José Mariano Beltrame, Public Security Secretary, Rio de Janeiro
  • Valdino Jacinto Caetano, National Secretary for Public Safety for Major Events, Ministry of Justice, Brazil
  • Franco Ascani, Member of the IOC Commission for Culture and Olympic Education
  • Liepollo Pheko, Director of Policy and Advocacy at South Africa’s Trade Collective
  • Horst Schmidt, Vice President, Local Organizing Committee for 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™
  • Shaun McCarthy, Director of Research and Knowledge Gathering, ICSS

High-profile delegates at this unique and exclusive gathering of the world’s leading sport security experts include:

• Bill Fallon, Former Commander, US Central Command
• Jeff Rees, Director, Tennis Integrity Unit
• Martha Rocha, Chief of Civil Police, Rio de Janeiro
• Colonel Erir Costa Filho, Commander of Military Police, Rio de Janeiro
• Sophie Dion, Advisor on sport to the President of the Republic, France and Director of Sports Law, Sorbonne University
• Sir Ronnie Flanagan, Chairman, Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, International Cricket Council

Further speakers and panelists will be announced over the coming weeks.

Nokia India has agreed a sponsorship deal with FC Barcelona, order the club’s first in the Indian market.

D Shivakumar Senior Vice President of Nokia India Middle East & Africa (IMEA) believes the deal underlines the company’s interest in sport, particularly in football.

“While we already have deep relationship with cricket, owing to our association with Kolkata Knight Riders and Champions League T20, we are now looking to tap into the next most popular sport – football – in India,” he said.

“Unlike cricket, which has been developed bottom-up from the grassroots, I believe football will grow top-to-bottom. Football is gaining significant traction in India and the youth is following club football with a lot of enthusiasm. And with Nokia and FCB being equally hungry and creative in their respective fields, this association has become particularly special.”

Nokia will be the official mobile device for Barcelona in India and all the club’s football marketing promotions in India will be carried out jointly between the two organizations.

Nokia India has announced for a brand campaign to mark the deal and try to as broaden consumer engagement around club football.

The ‘Tiki Taka’ campaign will engage consumers through various touch points including digital, television and activation.

“While the ‘Tiki Taka’ campaign will run for six months, the immediate objectives will be to launch a mascot, tag the FCB flag through an extensive digital campaign and unveil an exclusive mobile app on Nokia Lumia smartphones,” Shivakumar said.

A competition will be held in which the 11 winners will be flown to Barcelona to watch a game at the Camp Nou.

“Asia is very important region for us and we are confident that this association with Nokia India will create an excellent platform for the Indian youth to engage with us, and bring the club closer to its Indian fans,” said Antoni Rossich, CEO of FC Barcelona.{jcomments on}

 

Ann Sherry has become Australian Rugby Union’s (ARU) first female board member. 

Sherry, the chief executive officer of cruise ship operator Carnival Australia, replaces Rick Lee on the Sydney-based governing body’s board, the ARU said today in a statement.

Her appointment will help grow the sport beyond its traditional areas of support as rugby’s seven-a-side version prepares for its Olympic inclusion at the 2016 games, ARU Chairman Michael Hawker said.

“I am confident that Ann’s appointment, together with the Olympic opportunities and ARU’s focus on rugby sevens, will encourage more female participation in the sports of rugby union and rugby sevens,” Hawker said in the statement

 

The internet has surpassed TV as the primary platform for 18 to 35 year-old sports fans to watch their favourite sport, search according to new research conducted for the fourth annual Global Sports Forum Barcelona (GSFB), adiposity 7-9 March, erectile 2012 –www.globalsportsforum.org.

Today’s findings show that 36.1% of this sport hungry demographic across Europe sign-in online to watch their favourite sport or team play on a weekly basis, compared with just 32.1% who do so on television.

It represents a significant shift in the way young people watch sport, after research in 2011, conducted by the Global Sports Forum Barcelona, showed that TV was still the leader for sports video content for this age group.

Advertisers, content providers, broadcasters, rights holders and athletes will all be affected by the changing ways sport is watched.  As a result, it is a topic which will be at the forefront of the debate at the GSFB, as the likes of Claude Ruibal, Head of Sport Content at You Tube,Moz Dee, Programme Director at talkSPORT and Laurent-Eric Le Lay, Chairman & CEO, Eurosport and Eurosport Events, take part in a panel session on “TV vs Web Round #2 for sport.”

Lucien Boyer, President and CEO, Havas Sports & Entertainment and General Commissioner of the Global Sports Forum Barcelona, said:
“These findings, indicating that web consumption of sport content amongst the youth audience has passed TV for the first time, represent an important evolution in consumer behaviour.”

“The implications of this are huge and suggest the broadcast sales model for sport needs to be carefully considered in the future. Whilst TV will clearly continue to remain of enormous importance, the younger generation choose to consume sport in a number of ways so the key now is to be a content provider that can satisfy the demands of sports fans across all platforms.

“I look forward to discussing this in some detail with Claude Ruibal, Head of Sport at YouTube and Chairman & CEO, Eurosport and Eurosport Events, Laurent-Eric Le Lay, at our dedicated session at the Forum on Friday, 9^th March.”

The research was conducted by brand engagement agency, Havas Sports & Entertainment, organizer of the GSFB.  Now in its fourth year, the GSFB continues to attract the sports industry’s leading figures, with more than 1,000 delegates set to attend.  LOCOG Chairman,Sebastien Coe, will be joined by leading brand and rights holder representatives, includingEmmanuel Seugé, Head of Global Sports and Entertainment Marketing at The Coca Cola Company, Gary Ream, CEO of the International Skateboard Federation and Thierry Weil, Marketing Director at FIFA.

The Global Sports Forum Barcelona 2012 will take place at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya in Barcelona from 7 – 9 March.  As well as looking at the new trends in sports content consumption, the Forum will also focus on many of the most important topics affecting the industry at the moment, including gambling and corruption; football and finance; and the Globalization of brand sponsors.

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has hinted he may run for the French Football Federation (FFF) presidency in 2016.

A vote will take place at the end of 2012 to name the president for the next four years, with the current occupant of the role, Noel Le Graet, expected to be kept in the position despite competition from Christophe Bouchet.

In four years’ time, however, former France international Petit, who currently works as a television pundit in France, has set his sights on vying for the FFF presidency.

He told L’Equipe: “My relatives and friends say I have the abilities to hold this position.

“I’m interested about all the angles of football and I have come to a simple conclusion: there are more and more troubles in the business of football.”

The International Rugby Board has appointed Brett Gosper as it’s Chief Executive Officer.

Vastly experienced and with an impressive sport and business track record, Gosper will start the role on August 15 and joins the federation at an exciting time for a sport that continues to experience unprecedented global participation, interest and commercial growth.

Gosper, 53, will be responsible for the day to day operations of the IRB in line with the 2010-2020 Strategic Plan as mandated by the IRB Council, including the delivery of Rugby World Cup in his dual role as Managing Director of Rugby World Cup Limited, the implementation of development, investment and player welfare strategies and Rugby’s successful return to the Olympic Games in 2016.

A Rugby man and former player with Racing Club in France and Australia Under 21, Gosper joins the IRB following a distinguished career with major international businesses, most recently as Chief Executive Officer of McCann Erickson Europe, Middle East and Africa and Chief Executive Officer of McCann Erickson USA.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Guided by our comprehensive Strategic Plan, the IRB has a clear mission to develop, sustain and grow the sport of Rugby worldwide in order that it remains a thriving, attractive sport, bound by strong values that continue to reach out to record numbers of men, women and children worldwide,” said Lapasset.

“Brett Gosper shares that vision and proved himself to be an outstanding candidate during an extensive recruitment process featuring excellent candidates. The IRB Executive Committee unanimously agreed that his strong blend of experience, skills and passion for the Game are perfectly suited to the role.”

“Brett joins a strong and dynamic management team at an exciting time for the IRB and Rugby and I am confident he will continue to drive the Game forward, ensuring our core base remains strong, competitive and compelling, while continuing to improve and grow the Game throughout our regions and within new markets.”

“On behalf of all at the IRB, I would like to thank Robert Brophy for his excellent work, dedication and leadership as acting Chief Executive Officer. During his tenure, Robert has successfully managed a number of important of achievements, including the successful finalisation of Rugby World Cup 2011, a new financial model for Rugby World Cup 2015 and the adoption of a new disciplinary and sanctioning regime for the Game under Regulation 17. Robert will continue to act as the Chief Financial Officer of the IRB and RWCL.”

Gosper said: “I am delighted to be taking on this role at what is such an exciting time for the Game with Rugby World Cup going from strength to strength as a major global sporting brand as we look forward to the biggest-ever Rugby World Cup in 2015 and the sport returning to the Olympic Games at Rio 2016 with participation at an all-time high and a strong global commercial profile.”

“I am passionate about Rugby and look forward to using the experience gained through my involvement with the sport and management of global organisations and brands to work with the IRB Council, in partnership with Unions and Regions, and strengthen relationships with stakeholders to add further momentum to Rugby as one of the world’s most popular and commercially successful sports.”

How creative is sponsorship?

That’s one of the key topics at FASPO SPONSORING SUMMIT 2012 on March 22, nurse in Hamburg, Germany.

 Giving a lecture about creativity as the most efficient sponsorship tool worldwide and the power of ideas in times of media democracy will be Raphael Brinkert, Managing Director of advertising agency Jung von Matt.

Further main topics will be:

The latest figures of the IFM study “Sponsor Visions”; the sports year 2012 with the Olympics in London and the UEFA European Championship with lectures given from the Deutschen Sport-Marketing GmbH as well as top sponsors Vattenfall and Sharp. Culture sponsorship will furthermore be another topic that will be discussed intensively. Among others, the culture sponsorship of car manufacturer Audi, one of the biggest German culturs sponsors, will be highlighted from Audi Manager Jürgen Bachmann, who will also present music sponsorship at concerts and in social media.

The congress will be followed by the 19th International Sponsorship Awards on the night of March 22^nd. Well-known representatives  from the sponsorship industry will be honored by incorporating them into the HALL OF FAME SPONSORING. 

The event will take place in the Chamber of Commerce in Hamburg. The whole program can be found at the isportconnect.com events section or at www.faspo.de.

, or by sending an email to info@faspo.de or calling the FASPO office on +49(0)40 609508-33.

FASPO Fachverband für Sponsoring e.V., Rödingsmarkt 43, D-20459 Hamburg 

Tel. +49 (0) 40 609508-33, Fax -34, E-Mail: info@faspo.de, www.faspo.de

FASPO Schweiz, c/o Felten & Cie AG, Zürcherstrasse 41, CH-8400 Winterthur

Tel. +41 (0) 52 26908 00, Fax -01, E-Mail: info@faspo.ch, www.faspo.ch

FASPO Austria, c/o e|motion management gmbh, Gußhausstraße 15, A-1040 Wien

Tel. +43 (0) 1 5355285 20, Fax -80

 

Volvo Ocean Race announced Sunset+Vine, view a British-based independent sports production company, illness as Host Broadcaster and Distribution Partner for the 12th edition of the race scheduled to begin October 2014.

Sunset+Vine have previously delivered the race official TV partners in both 2005-06 and 2008-09 in addition to producing to the Olympic sailing events for London 2012.

The 65 Volvo Ocean boats race will be equipped with cutting-edge technology including on-board filming, editing and satellite transmission equipment and the race headquarters in Alicante is also set to house a 24-hour watch system.

Knut Frostad, Volvo Ocean Race CEO, was enthusiastic about the pairing, explaining: “The ocean legs have always been the heart and soul of the Volvo Ocean Race. No one is better placed than Sunset+Vine to bring this real story of life on board to audiences around the world. At its core the Volvo Ocean Race is about people and how they respond to life, and sport, at the extreme. Our priority is to share the reality of a race where competitors are prepared to put everything on the line to prevail.”

Richard Simmonds, Joint Managing Director of Sunset+Vine, exhibited how the company had the expertise to deliver the event, saying “The Volvo Ocean Race is one of the most extreme events in world sport and this theme will lie at the heart of our coverage from live video footage in the middle of a Southern Ocean storm to transporting the viewer into some of the remotest places on earth, our production will be driven from the very essence of this event.”