Provisional Measures Imposed on Mohamed bin Hammam

The Chairman of the Adjudicatory Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee, sale Hans-Joachim Eckert, illness has confirmed the provisional measures imposed on Mohamed bin Hammam.

The decision was taken following the procedure stipulated in article 84, paragraph two of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

On 26 July 2012, at the request of the Chairman of the Investigatory Chamber of the Ethics Committee, Michael J. Garcia, the Chairman of the Adjudicatory Chamber had provisionally banned Mohamed bin Hammam from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level.

This was for a period of a maximum of 90 days on the basis of articles in the Code of Ethics.

In addition, the Chairman of the Appeal Committee, Larry Mussenden, rejected the appeal lodged against the decision on the provisional measures imposed on Mohamed bin Hammam on 26 July 2012.

The Deputy Chairman of the Appeal Committee, Ahmad (given the fact that the Chairman of the Appeal Committee declined to participate from that case due to the fact that he had already dealt with the case under different circumstances in relation to the previous appeal) rejected the appeal lodged against the decision of the Chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee extending the provisional suspension imposed by the Chairman of the AFC Disciplinary Committee on Mohamed bin Hammam.

Kate Lundy Appointed Australia’s New Minister for Sport

Kate Lundy has been appointed as Australia’s new Minister for Sport, a high-profile role with the London Olympics less than six months away. 

The 44-year-old replaces Mark Arbib, who unexpectedly resigned last month claiming he wanted to spend more time with his young family.

“As the incoming Sport Minister I hope to continue the good work progressed by Minister Arbib,” said Lundy, who represents the Australian Capital Territory, including the capital Canberra.

“Particularly as we lead up to the Olympics and Paralympics. Minister Arbib has been an outstanding Sport Minister and has left a strong legacy. I have always been passionate about the capacity of sport to forge communities, build acceptance and overcome social boundaries.”

Lundy had been Australia’s Shadow Sports Minister between 1998 and 2007 only to be surprisingly dropped from the front bench when Labor were elected to Government and replaced as Minister for Sport and Minister for Youth by Kate Ellis.

Lundy’s new portfolio will also include Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation.

But there is little doubt that sport will provide her with her highest profile role.

“Sport is far more than the sum of its parts and is a critical area of social policy,” she said.

“As Minister, I look forward to championing the power of elite sport to inspire and community sport to promote participation, inclusion and a sense of belonging in the community.”

Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates claimed he ”couldn’t be more pleased” that Lundy had won the position. 

He also vouched for the Labor senator’s ”thorough knowledge of the portfolio” after her time as Shadow Minister for Sport.

”There will be no catch-up required,” Coates said.

”I expect Kate will hit the ground running and we look forward to working with her.”

by Ismail Uddin

IMG-Reliance to Present Big Plans for Indian Football

All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) commercial right holders IMG-Reliance is set to present an ambitious plans for the national development of the game in a Thursday meeting set to be attended by I-League club representatives.

The plans prepared by the AIFF reportedly go beyond the much-talked about IPL-style football, and will cover development of infrastructure, academies and  broadcast issues. The plans also detail strategies for raising marketing the game and raising its profile.

I-League Professional Football Clubs Association President, Raj Gomes said: “We have decided that I-League should be made a legal entity first. It has been long overdue, and that would be our main issue at the meeting.” {jcomments on}

Ecclestone’s Potential Successor Resigns as Chief Executive of F1

The potential successor to 81 year-old Bernie Ecclestone, David Campbell has stepped down from his role as chief executive of Formula One.

Former O2 Arena boss David Campbell had taken up the role of managing director of Allsport Management – the Geneva based company that handles trackside advertising and sponsorship, merchandising and corporate hospitality through F1’s Paddock Club – when founder Patrick McNally announced he was to stand down from his role.

A number of people had predicted that Campbell – who took up his role in March last year – could eventually succeed Ecclestone.

Allsport Management is under the control of CVC Capital Partners, the private equity firm that is currently the majority owner of F1.

While Campbell has refused to comment on his departure after less than twelve months in the role, an insider from CVC told The Independent it had been a decision agreed by both parties.

“It didn’t really work out,” the source revealed. “Bernie wanted to take the business in a different way, and that wasn’t the basis on which we hired David. His departure was by mutual agreement.”

by Ismail Uddin

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Sports Business Summit Leaders Considered a Success

Leaders, apoplectic the international sport business summit with conferences for Football, Performance, Sponsorship, Digital Sport and the business of Horseracing, has been hailed a huge success by speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and delegates alike following 2 eventful days at Chelsea FC, London on 5th and 6th of October.

The sell out event saw over 1500 delegates from 50 countries, representing 40 different sports in attendance. 53% of attendees were rights holders, 82% were Director-level, with the highest percentage of delegates coming from Europe closely followed by the US.  Detailed findings from the post event surveys will be published shortly.

Millions more from around the world followed the news stories as they happened with 12 international TV networks covering the event (including Sky Sports News, CNN, Fox Sports , BBC, ITV, Bloomberg, ESPN) and 150 international journalists in attendance.

More Facts about the event:

Leaders in Football hosted 20 speakers over 10 sessions, with delegates representing 180 different organisations from across the globe. Key industry figures addressed many current topics in the world of football, such as Financial Fair Play, the governance of the game, tournament hosting and the role of referees and players. Highlights included interviews with Kia Joorabchian, Pierluigi Collina, Jamie Carragher, and Gianni Infantino.

Leaders in Performance hosted 17 world class speakers over 8 sessions, with 350 coaches, managers and sporting directors attending the 2 day conference. Sessions focussed on subjects such as talent identification, athlete development, sports science, technology, analysis, psychology and physiology, as well as lessons from business.  The room was filled with many experts associated with winning Olympics medals, FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, Superleague, La Liga, The Premier League, Heineken Cup, and Cycling World Championships.

Leaders in Sponsorship hosted 12 world class speakers over 4 sessions, with 250 delegates in attendance, over 70 brands, representing 35 different sports worldwide. Speakers from some of the world’s leading brands covered the latest industry topics such as trends from the US, the role of technology and new media, sponsorship vs. marketing, and how to create a truly successful sponsorship campaign.

Leaders in Digital Sport hosted 12 world class speakers over 5 sessions, bringing together over 250 director level executives from world renowned brands, rights holders, broadcasters and agencies for a hugely successful inaugural event. Leading figures spoke on key industry themes including ‘the application of Social Media’, maximising new technologies, the sports fans of tomorrow, and monetising content.

Leaders in Racing hosted 18 world class speakers over 5 sessions, with over 200 leaders from the horseracing industry for another inaugural conference. Major international industry figures such as Simon Bazalgette, Winfried Engelbrecht–Bresges, Paul Roy and Paul Fisher, gathered to speak about the business of racing, the growth of the betting industry, the future for racing, and competing with other sports to maintain its unique position.

For the 3rd year running main partner Levy Restaurants provided world-class food and drink at the event with a superb menu created by a team of leading chefs and in house hospitality experts.

Whilst SIS, also a main partner for Leaders, used their range of broadcasting solutions and expertise to film every conference session and broadcast relevant content worldwide.

If you would like to learn more about Leaders events or to enquire about opportunities to get involved in 2012, please contact one of the team on +44 (0) 207 042 8666 or email enquiry@leadersinevents.com

Beijing Supercopa in Doubt

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)  needs Asamblea del Futbol to ratify its agreement   for the Supercopa to be played in China, medic and Real Madrid and Barcelona are believed to be unlikely to do so.

The tournament, currently played with a home-and-away series palyed in Spain, is due to start being played in China in 2013.

That is the deal that the RFEF signed with United Vansen International Sport. The agreement is worth €40M ($50M) over five years. For the deal to be complete, however, the RFEF needs the Asamblea del Futbol to ratify it. Real Madrid and Barcelona are reportedly unwilling to  because of both economic and sporting reasons.

RFEF President, Angel Maria Villar has one year to convince the clubs, before the first edition of the Supercopa in Beijing, scheduled for August 2013.

Villar has been accused of acting  unilaterally in the negotiations with China, ignoring the interests of all the clubs, in the LFP. The LFP may support the complaint from the two clubs, in which case the RFEF would have to back down or face conflict. {jcomments on}

Eamon Convery Quits as Chairman of Ice Hockey UK

Eamon Convery has stepped down from his position as chairman of Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) after four years in the job.

Convery has been involved with IHUK for a total of nearly nine years and he will be replaced in the interim period by Mohammed Ashraff as chairman, troche while Jim Anderson takes up the position of vice-chairman until November 2012.

Andy French, general secretary of Ice Hockey UK, said: “The board would like to thank Eamon for all the hard work he has done over the years and for his dedication and commitment.

“Every board member is grateful for Eamon’s contribution in his time with IHUK and these will be hard shoes to fill.

“Eamon was a pleasure to work with and his input was so valuable to Ice Hockey UK in the last four years.”

Eamon Convery added: “I would like to thank you all for having allowed me to be chairman of IHUK.

“It has been a great experience and I have many, many happy memories and met many wonderful people since first becoming involved with IHUK almost nine years ago.”

by Ismail Uddin

UEFA Awards Champions League Rights to CCTV

UEFA has awarded the 2012-2015 UEFA Champions League media rights to Chinese public broadcaster CCTV and the 2012-2015 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League Internet rights to Sina and QQ in China.

Each matchday, cialis CCTV will broadcast  one live UEFA Champions League match as well as a highlights programme. UEFA Champions League coverage will be screened on its CCTV 5 channel, which is available to more than 350 million homes throughout the country.

CCTV will also make available all matches via Internet and mobile. Internet operators Sina and QQ will each stream two live UEFA Champions League matches per matchday as well as the highlights programme.

QQ will stream two live matches per UEFA Europa League matchweek and both Internet operators will make available the weekly highlights programme. The content will be available to football fans in China via QQ.com and sina.com.{jcomments on}

Circuit of the Americas Appoint a Host of Personnel

Circuit of The Americas has announced a host of personnel additions including Julie Koenig Loignon as vice president of Public and Community Relations, cialis Regan Holley as vice president of Marketing, Fenorris Pearson as vice president of Human Resources, Jason Asci as director of Ticketing, and six senior sales representatives.

Julie Koenig Loignon joins Circuit of The Americas after serving as vice president of Corporate Communications for Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI). In her previous role, Loignon managed strategic, financial and crisis communications, media relations and employee communications while providing communications counsel, training and support for the company’s businesses. Loignon was also a founding member of the company’s brand development and marketing team, formed to develop innovations and revenue opportunities around Churchill Downs’ marquee racing events. As vice president of Brand Development and Marketing, Loignon oversaw multiple innovative marketing campaigns and initiatives, such as the Kentucky Derby® Red Carpet program and celebrity hospitality, the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks® event websites and the Derby Nation social media network.

Loignon will serve as principal spokesperson for the Circuit and oversee day-to-day communications, public relations and media services, while working with sanctioning bodies to promote media coverage of all Circuit events. Loignon will also develop and manage the Circuit’s community partnerships and charitable contributions.

“Julie brings a unique combination of high-level public and media relations experience to our team, plus a proven background in marquee-event development and marketing,” said Steve Sexton, president of Circuit of The Americas. “She understands the expectations that surround a premium experience like a Formula One race; from accommodating thousands of on-site journalists to working through traditional and new media channels to promote community awareness and engagement.”

Regan Holley has become the vice president of Marketing. Holley comes to Circuit of The Americas from TracyLocke Advertising, where he most recently served as Chief Creative Officer in the Dallas office. In that role, Holley oversaw the creative output and direction for more than 80 members of the company’s creative department. He has a diverse background with a full-range of marketing experience including brand development, promotions, digital, TV, print and package design, and in-store marketing. Notable clients for which Holley has provided effective marketing and branding include Nokia, T-Mobile, Clorox, Caesars Entertainment and 7-Eleven.

Holley’s responsibilities will include developing and managing the Circuit of The Americas brand, overseeing consumer marketing initiatives including advertising, promotions and database marketing, and building experiential and interactive marketing events for the venue and the events promoted at the Circuit.

Fenorris Pearson was named vice president of Human Resources. Pearson joins Circuit of The Americas as vice president of Human Resources. Previously, Pearson worked as vice president of Human Resources and Consumer Brand Innovation for Dell, Inc. where he managed more than 100 employees and developed organizational design and leadership development within sales operations for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas and Asia. Pearson also worked as vice president of Human Resources for Motorola, Inc. where he developed a performance management process for over 100,000 employees.

Pearson will be responsible for developing all aspects of the Human Resources department for Circuit of The Americas. This includes developing and overseeing organizational design, training and leadership development, employee relations, compensation and recruiting.

“Fenorris has experience managing HR in some of the top companies in the world,” said Bruce Knox, executive vice president for Circuit of The Americas. “He impressed us with his ability to effectively and efficiently build global recruiting programs, and we look forward to adding him to the team.”

Jason Asci, now the Ticketing Director joins the Circuit of The Americas team from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he recently served as the director of Ticketing for SMU Athletics. In that role, he managed all ticketing aspects of the Division I Athletics program, including the ticket office and systems for more than 80 events annually. His new responsibilities include the establishment of ticketing and related systems, distribution, and maximization of ticketing related revenue.

Prior to SMU, Asci worked as director of Ticket Services and Merchandise for FC Dallas of Major League Soccer. This also included managing ticketing for third-party events at Pizza Hut Park, such as international soccer matches and outdoor stadium concerts.

“Regan and Jason are valuable additions to our management team,” said Geoff Moore, chief marketing and revenue officer for Circuit of The Americas. “Both have a wealth of experience in their areas of expertise and we are fortunate to attract such talented personnel. They will contribute significantly to the success of our facility and the events we promote.”

Also six new senior sales representatives join the Circuit, coming from various backgrounds. Jason Brewer, most recently part of the Dallas Cowboys sales team; Eric Buskirk, from the Louisiana Tech Sports department; Chas Sheffield, who was part of the Oklahoma City Thunder sales team; Brandi Marek, from CW Television Network in Ad Sales; Tom Greene, previously with development sales at Southern Methodist University; and Anthony Rizzo, formerly with the New Orleans Saints suite sales team.

by Ismail Uddin

Rugby Expo 2011 Give Away Free Tickets to Local Rugby Clubs Following Partnership

doctor helvetica, sans-serif;”>Community Rugby League clubs will receive complimentary tickets to Rugby Expo 2011 as a result of a new partnership between the Rugby Football League and Rugby Ventures, the owners of Rugby Expo.

Rugby Expo is taking place at Twickenham on November 23 and 24 and covers both codes of rugby; attending delegates will benefit from master class workshops and interactive product demonstrations designed to meet the specific needs of clubs.

The agreement will see community Rugby League clubs receive two free tickets to attend the second day of Rugby Expo on Thursday November 24 when the programme focuses on supporting the requirements of the grass roots game.

Clubs are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to guarantee their place as there is only a limited number of tickets available for this offer.

Senior figures from the Engage Super League, Championship and Championship One will be also be attending the event and mixing with their counterparts in Rugby Union.

The RFL’s Director of Participation, David Gent is one of the guest speakers at the event where he will talk about the Four Seasons debate and reasons for switching the sport to a summer-based season structure.”

David Gent said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer community Rugby League clubs the opportunity to send two delegates to this event free of charge and I hope that many will be able to attend. It’s a great opportunity to network with people involved in both codes of rugby, speak to different Rugby suppliers and listen to a variety of speakers from the sporting world.”

John Hockey, chairman of Rugby Expo 2011 organisers Rugby Ventures said: “We’re delighted to welcome the Rugby Football League and its clubs to Rugby Expo 2011. The aim of the event is to be inclusive of both codes and all forms of the game their involvement will add significantly to the event and the quality and value of the debates and discussions.”

“Rugby Expo 2011 is determined in its aim to be the key conference, and meeting place for the world of rugby and the associations, unions and leagues that have shown their support highlights the global position of the event.”

Rugby Expo will host more than 50 leading speakers from across the sports industry, 40 rugby focused exhibitors and over 1,000 delegates over the two days.

Community Rugby League clubs that are interested in attending should contact Community Game Services on 01484 448000 or Communitygameservices@rfl.uk.com.

If you’d like to know more information about tickets or commercial opportunities at Rugby Expo 2011, simply contact Mark Kemp by email mark@rugbyexpo.com or phone using +44 (0) 7703 912222.