Star Sports has acquired the TV rights for the upcoming FIFA Confederations cup starting on 15th June, bronchi 2013 in Brazil.

The tournament, allergy which comes second only to the World Cup in International football, patient almost acts like a rehearsal to the World Cup scheduled to take place in Brazil in June 2014.

This tournament is contested between the holders of the six FIFA Confederation champions (UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, CAF, AFC, OFC) along with the FIFA World Cup holders and the host nation. The line-up of nations for this year’s event will contain Brazil, Spain, Mexico, Uruguay, Japan, Nigeria, Italy and Tahiti.

With the participation of major footballing giants like Brazil, Spain and Italy, the tournament is expected to gain huge viewership. All the 16 matches of the tournament from 15th June to 30th June will be telecast live on Star Sports and ESPN across Asia.

Vijay Rajput, Chief Operating Officer, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd, said: ”We are incredibly proud and happy to present this mouth-watering array of premium sporting content in the month of June which will keep sports fans glued to their TV sets. With such premium sporting action across sporting genres, our aim is to take the viewership of sports to a whole new level – be it through our quality of talent, look and feel of the presentation or through innovative production led enhancements which help in creating an immersive experience for sports fans.”

Spanish clubs Malaga and Atletico Madrid, who were stripped of their European prize-money by UEFA, are confident of avoiding punishment following an investigation into their financial practices.

Malaga and Atletico were among 23 clubs named in a statement by European football’s governing body as part of the “first measure” of UEFA’s much-touted financial fair play rules.

UEFA said they had identified “that important overdue payables towards other clubs, and/or towards employees or social/tax authorities existed in 23 cases,” and said they would “provide an updated situation as of 30 September 2012.”

However, Malaga, who have qualified for the Champions League group stage for the first time, later issued a statement of their own to say that measures had already been taken to address their financial problems.

They said that “a complete internal restructuring process got underway over a month ago, aiming to guarantee the future viability of the Club.

“The club is still fully immersed in this process, and has now stabilised the financial situation with other clubs, employees and players, and is in negotiations with the Ministry of Finance.

“Although a definitive agreement has not as yet been reached, the amount owed by the club has been significantly reduced over the last month. Malaga Club de Futbol has informed UEFA of this situation, and there is a transparent relationship between both organisations.”

The Costa del Sol outfit have endured an uncertain summer after funding from their Qatari owners suddenly dried up, and were forced to sell key players including Santi Cazorla, who joined Arsenal, and Venezuelan striker Salomon Rondon, who left for Rubin Kazan in Russia.

However, Malaga added that they were confident UEFA’s statement did not mean they would face any punishment.

“The inclusion of Malaga Club de Futbol in the list published today (Tuesday) by UEFA is a precautionary measure, and not a penalty, which can be lifted as soon as an agreement is reached with the Agencia Tributaria (tax office), something which the club has been working towards for several weeks.”

Europa League holders and European Super Cup winners Atletico added that they too had recently taken action to step into line with UEFA’s fair play rules.

“We would like to clarify that UEFA’s statement does not mean that any punishment has been imposed on Atletico Madrid,” read a statement on their website.

They said that documentation had been provided to UEFA on request last month and that they expected any ruling to be “favourable”.

It was reported earlier this year that Atletico owed 155 million euros ($199.3m) to Spanish tax authorities alone.

College sports Big East Conference has lost it commissioner John Marinatto, price who has stepped down from his role.

The Big East lost the linchpin members Syracuse, view Pittsburgh and West Virginia in the past year, abortion and Marinatto has scrambled to keep the conference together. Marinatto, who has been commissioner for less than three years after replacing Mike Tranghese, has been in discussions with the president of the universities in the Big East for the past few weeks about departing.

He called the last seven months a marathon, and said he was looking forward to taking some time to recharge.

“All endings are sad,” Marinatto said. “But there’s a beginning. I’m sure that it’ll be positive in the end. I feel good about where we’re leaving it after going through what we went through and proud of what we’re able to accomplish in part over the last seven months.”

Marinatto will be replaced on an interim basis by Joe Bailey, a former chief executive of the Miami Dolphins and chief operating officer of the World League, an international football league supported by the N.F.L. The Big East is expected to act quickly to find Marinatto’s replacement. The league finds itself in a tenuous position, with the change in leadership occurring at a time when changes to the Bowl Championship Series seem imminent and with a television contract negotiation looming this fall.

Marinatto also expressed his disappointment in the actions of the conference members who decided to depart in the last year.

“I don’t think anyone could have predicted the things that happened in the last 36 months with realignment and how disappointing it is to find people who you trust and had relationships with suddenly become untrustworthy,” he said. “It’s discouraging and disappointing and it’s not part of what you think intercollegiate athletics or higher education is about.”

Less than a year ago, at Big East media days, the league was brimming with optimism about a television deal that could surpass the one held by the Atlantic Coast Conference. Now it has lost three key members and expanded to 13 teams in football — including Boise, San Diego State and Navy for football only. It also added Central Florida, Houston, Memphis and Southern Methodist in all sports.

UEFA have announced that they are going to withhold 23 clubs’ share of European prize money due to their failure to pay debts to other clubs or tax bills.

Sporting Lisbon, Fenerbahce, Malaga and Europa League champions Atletico Madrid are among the clubs not to have provided UEFA with the required information, but there are no British sides on the list.

The sanctions follow the first elements of UEFA’s financial fair play rules coming into force regarding unpaid debts, with the prize money temporarily withheld pending further investigation.

The action was taken by the UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) investigatory chamber, chaired by former Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene.

UEFA said in a statement: “The clubs participating in UEFA club competitions had to provide information regarding the status of any overdue payables as at 30 June 2012.

“The CFCB investigatory chamber has identified that important overdue payables towards other clubs, and/or towards employees or social/tax authorities existed in 23 cases.”

Daniel Geey, Sports law expert at Field Fisher Waterhouse, explained to iSportconnect the nuances of UEFA’s new stance.

“The withholding of prize monies by UEFA is for breaching the overdue payables provisions of the UEFA licensing regime (i.e. outstanding debts to other clubs, employees and social/tax authorities).

“Interestingly, there does not appear (in the press release) to be any expulsion from competition sanctions. This may occur however if clubs do not pay their outstanding debt by 30 September.”

“The FFP ‘break-even’ part of the regulations kicks in for the 13-14 season. It is important to stress is that these sanctions are not about breaching the break-even criteria.”

“Nonetheless, big clubs have been sanctioned like Atlético de Madrid, Málaga,Sporting, Rubin Kazan, Partizan and Fenerbahçe. Many may suggest that this is a show of strength by UEFA i.e. that it means business by imposing such sanctions.”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) are set to appoint former South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman David Richardson as their new chief executive.

The world governing body is ready to appoint from within after Richardson was recommended to the board ahead of three other candidates, who reportedly included England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive David Collier.

Richardson, the ICC general manager of cricket for the past decade, will take up his new role in place of departing chief executive Haroon Lorgat at the end of June, as long as the nominations committee’s recommendation is agreed at his employers’ annual conference.

“It is a great honour to be nominated to be chief executive of the ICC,” sadi Richardson. “I am delighted with this opportunity and thank the ICC board for their approval.

“It is an honour to be following a fellow South African, Haroon Lorgat, in this role. I have learnt a lot under his leadership and thank him for his support in the last four years.”

CC vice president Alan Isaac, who was tasked by the ICC board with identifying Lorgat’s successor, added: “David Richardson was an outstanding candidate who not only had important knowledge of the ICC administration, its staff and its operations but also has unquestioned cricketing knowledge – having represented his country so admirably.

“His appointment will provide continuity and a smooth transition after Haroon Lorgat steps down after ICC annual conference in Kuala Lumpur at the end of June.

“I am sure all my colleagues on the nominations committee will agree that this was a very difficult assignment, because we were presented with not only three other experienced and talented candidates but also an extremely impressive longer list of contenders for this important role.

“I am grateful to the final four for travelling to Mumbai, and I am sure they will understand and respect our decision.

“I am looking forward to working closely with David over the next two years and I am sure that he will carry the support of all the full members and the ICC staff.”

Scotland’s games during this month’s quadrangular tournament in South Africa will be broadcast live by Sky Sports, viagra 100mg the sports channel has revealed.

Scotland’s opening game  against Samoa in Durban on Saturday (8 June)  will be telecast on Sky Sports 2 from 1.10pm UK time and will follow on from coverage of the Queensland Reds v British & Irish Lions.

The next Test – against South Africa in Nelspruit on Saturday 15 June – will be shown on Sky Sports 3 with a 4pm start UK time for the programme.

The final match, cialis pills on Saturday 22 June at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria will also be shown live on the Sky Sports network.

A Scottish Rugby spokesman said: “It’s always important for us that Scotland supporters at home and around the world have the opportunity to watch the national team.”

Gus Williamson, head of Rugby at BskyB, said: “Scotland rugby union fans are in for a treat in June. Not only can they follow the fortunes of Richie Gray, Sean Maitland and Stuart Hogg down under with the Lions, they can also watch all three of Scotland’s Tests in South Africa, as Scott Johnson’s side get an early look at two of the sides [SA and Samoa] that they have drawn in the 2015 World Cup. “

German soccer giants, symptoms Bayern Munich will receive more than €3 million ($3.9m) from UEFA for releasing their players for Euro 2012.

A total of 575 clubs will receive payments, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Juventus all due to receive more than €2 million ($2.57m).

The compensation, which totalls €100 million ($128.6m), has been allocated in accordance with the renewed Memorandum of Understanding, signed by the European Club Association and UEFA in March.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the CEO at Bayern and the ECA chairman, said: “The European Club Association is pleased that its contribution to the success of UEFA Euro 2012 has been recognised and justly rewarded by UEFA. This shows the excellent relationship that exists within the football family in Europe, as we work hand in hand to shape the future of our game.”

The payments mark a significant increase on Euro 2008, when only 180 clubs received funds. It is intended that €150 million ($193m) will be distributed at Euro 2016.

UEFA president Michel Platini added: “I am delighted that we are able to provide clubs with financial benefits from UEFA Euro 2012 to reward their contribution to the competition.

“We witnessed a truly fantastic UEFA European Football Championship final round this summer, and I am pleased that the clubs can now also be associated with the event.”

The top five clubs to benefit are:

Bayern Munich (€3,095,393/$3,980,272)
Real Madrid (€2,996,585/$3,853,482)
Barcelona (€2,210,202/$2,842,226)
Manchester City (€2,069,465/$2,661,397)
Juventus (€2,023,012/$260,165)

Former Chicago Blackhawk scout Marc Bergevin is moving back to his hometown after he agreed to become Montreal Canadiens’ new General Mnanger.

The 46-year-old who grew up watching the Montreal Canadiens parade the Stanley Cup down Ste-Catherine Street almost annually is now responsible for reshaping the struggling team in a city that will watch and pick apart his every move.

The new Canadiens general manager brings to the job 20 years of experience as a steady, stay-at-home defenceman for eight NHL clubs and more than seven years of scouting and management with the Chicago Blackhawks.

But his first job as an NHL GM comes with many challenges as he takes over a club that finished last in the NHL Eastern Conference this season.

“I took this job first of all because I know I’m ready,” Bergevin said after he was introduced as executive vice-president and GM by team owner/president Geoff Molson on Wednesday.

“If I wasn’t ready for this challenge I wouldn’t be here today.”

He said that despite the team’s dismal finish in 2011-12, it will not need a complete rebuild but will require some changes to make it a winner.

The Canadiens were hit hard by injuries, but they have a solid top line of David Desharnais, Erik Cole and Max Pacioretty and the makings of a second line with Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta, as well as a young but decent defence and a talented goalie in Carey Price.

“I believe the pieces are really good,” Bergevin said. “Obviously finishing 15th in the conference, it’s a lot of work that needs to be done but you have a good base.”

While he offered only a few specific details of what will change, it was clear the easygoing Bergevin is a near opposite of Pierre Gauthier, the guarded, uncommunicative GM he has replaced.

“We were looking for a candidate with very strong leadership capability, great communication skills at all levels and someone with a clear determination and commitment to winning,” said Molson.

Gauthier was fired on March 29, near the end of a 31-35-16 season that saw the Canadiens finish miss the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

While he admitted he was a little nervous at a packed news conference that was being aired live in English and French on several television and radio stations, Bergevin kept his cool and even slipped a few jokes into his answers to reporters’ questions.

“I’m emotional because it’s the Montreal Canadiens,” he said. “I grew up here watching the Canadiens.

“I’m proud of it and I’m going to enjoy it.”

The world’s most influential sports leaders, investors and sponsors will gather at a new International Herald Tribune (IHT) conference in Singapore in 2012 to discuss the business of sport and the opportunities created by the globalisation of sports business models.

Developed with guidance from the IHT’s writers and global sports business leaders,The IHT Sports Business Summit will be held at the luxury Capella Singapore hotel on February 28^th and 29^th 2012.

The conference will feature IHT sports writers Christopher Clarey, Rob Hughes and Brad Spurgeon in conversation with high-profile speakers, including:

-Randy Bernard, CEO, IndyCar

-Bruce Buck, Chairman, Chelsea F.C.

-Anders Sundt Jensen, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Cars

-Kyi Hla Han, Executive Chairman, Asian Tour

-Ronald Noble, Secretary General, INTERPOL

-Richard Worth, Chairman, America’s Cup

-Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer, Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One Team

-Brad Drewett, CEO, International Group, ATP Tour

-Stacey Allaster, Chairman and CEO, WTA

-Joel Finlay, Global Lead – Major Sport Events; Global Infrastructure Projects Group, KPMG

-Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship, HSBC

Stephen Dunbar-Johnson, Publisher of the IHT said: “The value of the global sports market is rocketing, so the time is right to launch this new conference which will look at the financing of sport, as well as the socio-economic, technological, political and business issues which impact on the globalization of sport.

“We are particularly excited to hold this inaugural event in Singapore, as Asia is one of the fastest growing areas for sports, both in terms of new fans and opportunities for businesses and investors.”