Sampdoria will start the new season with a one-point deduction after its plea bargain was accepted by the Italian Football Federation in the latest match-fixing scandal to rock Italy.

Serie B side Bari was also penalized, capsule as it was deducted five points and fined almost $100, pills 000.

Atalanta defender Andrea Masiello received the worst punishment for a player – 26 months for his contributions to match-fixing while at Bari.

Old teammates Alessandro Parisi and Marco Rossi were banned 24 and 20 months, respectively. Parisi is currently with Torino, while Rossi is with Cesena.

Juventus coach Antonio Conte is among those still under investigation, and he faces a 15-month ban for not reporting match-fixing in two games as manager of Siena in Serie B in the 2010-11 season.

The IRB Executive Committee has appointed its Chief Financial Officer Robert Brophy acting Chief Executive of Rugby’s global governing body and acting Managing Director of Rugby World Cup Limited.

Irishman Brophy will take up his new post on February 1 and the IRB has stated that he will “continue to drive forward the IRB’s core business while a thorough independent recruitment process for a permanent successor to Mike Miller is conducted”.

Miller is stepping down on January 31 after 10 years at the helm at the IRB and Rugby World Cup Limited, purchase as we reported last Friday.

Brophy will bring a wealth of experience to the caretaker role. He has served as the IRB’s Chief Financial Officer since 1996 and previously worked for KPMG and Diageo UK. He also has solid roots in the game; he represented Trinity College and Leinster at age grade during his playing days.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset stated, buy cialis “I am delighted that Robert has accepted the role of acting Chief Executive of the IRB and acting Managing Director of Rugby World Cup Limited. He has a massive wealth of experience in the organisation and global Rugby governance and is highly respected by the staff. I have every confidence that Robert will provide the continuity, stability and leadership required until a new permanent Chief Executive takes office”.

Brophy added, “It is an enormous privilege to be given this opportunity by the IRB Executive Committee. We have an excellent management team and I am looking forward to working with Bernard and Vice Chairman Oregan Hoskins to continue to drive the Game forward”.

Virgin Radio, symptoms has renewed its partnership with the eni FIM Superbike World Championship.

Virgin Radio follows closely the entire season, with special updates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and as the official Radio of 2013 Italian World Superbike events will provide the fans with further updates by broadcasting live from the circuits. DJ Ringo – Artistic Director of the Radio, bike lover and performer – along with Giovanni di Pillo – radio speaker and TV commentator for the series – will be presenting the well-known program “Revolver” (on Thursday and Friday from 2pm to 4pm) directly from a dedicated workspace within the Superbike Paddock Show. 

Marc Saurina, WSBK Marketing and Commercial Director: “We’re happy to have Virgin Radio on our side again, a beloved radio station for our Italian fans because of its strong connection with Superbike. It’s no coincidence that just a few time ago “Rolling Stone” magazine acknowledged World Superbike as “the most rock sport in the world”! The coverage that Virgin radio provides to all World Superbike classes proves our common goals, audience and essence and the live presence in the paddock during the Italian races allows us to transmit the spirit of proximity with riders and teams, that is a unique characteristic of SBK.” 

For both Italian rounds, Virgin Radio will raffle off numerous tickets and 3-day paddock passes on its frequencies and on virginradio.it 

On virginradio.it a dedicated section was created with special content, not only about the technical side (riders, standings) but also about the atmosphere of Superbike, to discover riders’ backstage and secrets, with curious stories and everything that may connect the Superbike mood to that rock ’n’ roll universe. 

DJ Ringo said: “Once we marked Tony Cairoli’s gear with the star of Virgin Radio, now the same star will be on the World Superbike Italian rounds, as well as on ParkinGo Team’s MV Augusta fairings in World Supersport. We’re definitely a Superbike Radio!”.

Blackburn’s pre-season friendly with NEC Nijmegen scheduled for Sunday afternoon was cancelled due to the threat of fan violence.

The decision was taken by the police and the local authorities in Nijmegen after it was claimed that Rovers supporters had been involved in disturbances in Deventer on Friday and Saturday.

In addition to the friendly, Nijmegen had been set to host a fans’ open day, with the local authorities expecting around 8,000 visitors including families with young children.

A statement on the Gelderland-Zuid section of the politie.nl website read: “The deputy mayor of Nijmegen has decided to cancel the exhibition game between NEC and Blackburn Rovers. That match was due to be played today at 2.30pm during the annual open day of NEC.

“Supporters of the English club Blackburn Rovers were involved in rioting in Deventer on Friday and on Saturday there was a confrontation with supporters of NEC Nijmegen in the city.

“On the basis of serious signals to the police that a confrontation would take place again today, deputy mayor Henk Beerten in consultation with police, judiciary and mayor Hubert Bruls decided to cancel the match this afternoon.

“Today, some 8,000 visitors are expected at the open day of NEC which starts at 12.30pm, including many families with children.

“With the serious threat of unrest in the Goffertpark around the exhibition game, it is not sensible to play this game today.”

A statement on the Championship club’s official club website said: “Both clubs wish to express their disappointment that such a decision has been necessary.”

NEC said in a statement that they regretted the decision to cancel the match, but understood it was taken with regard to safety

ESPN has announced its new executive structure under president John Skipper, cough with a few members being promoted.

Most of ESPN’s executives will remain in their current roles reporting to Skipper, apoplectic including: Sean Bratches, executive VP of sales and marketing; Christine Driessen, executive VP and CFO; Ed Durso executive VP of administration; Chuck Pagano, executive VP of technology and CTO; Paul Richardson, senior VP of human resources; John Walsh, executive VP and executive editor; and Russell Wolff, executive VP and managing director international.

Meanwhile, John Kosner has been promoted from senior VP to executive VP of digital and print media, continuing to oversee the company’s digital strategy and products. And veteran ESPN executives John Wildhack and Norby Williamson will switch roles. Williamson will now be executive VP of programming and acquisitions, while Wildhack transitions to executive VP of production. All three will continue to report to Skipper.

Marie Donoghue, who has been senior VP of business affairs and business development, will take on the new role of senior VP of global strategy, business development and business affairs. She will be responsible for working across all business units worldwide to evaluate new opportunities and new lines of business. She will continue to report to Skipper.

Skipper took over on Jan. 1 from long-time ESPN chief George Bodenheimer, who has transitioned to the role of executive chairman of ESPN.

Bodenheimer announced last year that he would step down at the end of 2011. Skipper, president and co-chair of Disney Media Networks, reports to Bodenheimer and Disney Company President and CEO Robert A. Iger.

This September, site Singapore will play host as the role of sports events take centre stage at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Sports Conference (APSC).

Acting Minister for Community Development, ed Youth and Sports, MG (NS) Chan Chun Sing will be the Guest-of-Honour for APSC, which takes place on the 27-28 September at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in Singapore.

The conference will bring together two hundred sports industry professionals from local organising committees, sports federations, governments, agencies and suppliers to sports events.  With the number of sporting events in the region on the increase, the Asia-Pacific Sports Conference will play a key role in encouraging and exploring further developments in the industry.

“Building on Singapore’s strong foundation and reputation for hosting international sporting events like the inaugural Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games and SingTel Formula 1 Grand Prix, we are pleased to offer our support in hosting the first ever sports conference here in Singapore.”

“With the increase of sporting events being held in the region, the APSC will provide a timely focus on the opportunities and challenges event organisers are facing, Singapore is happy to be the choice location where international and regional thought leadership in the sports sector takes place.” said Mr. Lim Teck Yin, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Sports Council.

The conference programme will address topics including: Sports Event Bidding, Stadiums & Venue Management, How to Attract Sponsors, What Makes a Bid Successful, as well as case studies on major sporting events in Asia-Pacific. Delegates will be able to take part in focused workshops and listen to experienced workshop leaders on how to overcome the critical challenges in hosting sports events in the region.

The conference has attracted some of the most respected, high-profile leaders in the sector, including; Captain Husain Al-Musallam, Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, Teo Ping Low, VP of Singapore National Olympic Council and President of Singapore Rugby Union, Pang Chung, Honorary Secretary General of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong and Toh Sen Nee, Assistant Secretary General, Asean Football Federation to name but a few.

They will be accompanied by James Clarke, Senior Vice President of World Sport Group, David Voth, Senior Director, Sport Business at Singapore Sports Council, Satoshi Saito, Director of Marketing, AFC, Asian Football Confederation, Eric Lynge, Director for TV and Broadcast, ASIAN Tour, amongst others.

The event is organised by Informa Sports Group, the specialist division of one of the world’s leading conference companies, and supported by the Singapore Sports Council.

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has hired IMG Sports Production, capsule a division of IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company, to make a three-part documentary series to celebrate the sport of fencing to coincide with the organisation’s centenary.

‘En Garde’ will be a look back at the earliest days of fencing from the Olympic Games and World Championships featuring some of the legends of the sport over the past 100 years while also portraying the key developments that have taken place.

The 3×30 minute series will also feature the leading stars competing today and show action from some of the major events so far this season, as well as delving back into the origins of sword-play and dueling.

James Mitchell, Series Producer for IMG Sports Media, said: “The programmes reflect the FIE’s centenary celebrations as well as fencing’s rich heritage and its glamorous history. This has often seen it portrayed in films with stars such as Tom Cruise and the late Errol Flynn as well as attracting the attention of personalities such as football icon David Beckham.”

He added: “The aim is to showcase the FIE’s commitment to growing the sport as widely as possible internationally. We will do this by looking back at the sport’s rich history, featuring some of the personalities competing today and also showcasing the excellent work they are doing to develop fencing’s reach even further.”

Maxim Paramonov, Advisor of the FIE President Mr Alisher Usmanov, said: “We are proudly looking back on these 100 years, in which the sport of fencing has undergone many changes, including the achievement of gender parity and the integration of new technologies. Being on the programme of the Olympic Games since 1896, Fencing is an original Olympic sport. However, we are constantly looking at how we can improve and can reach more people. Fencing is a dynamic sport, delivering spectacular images and this film shows the excitement and fascination inherent in fencing. Some of the best fencers of the century give their testimony of why they are so passionate about fencing.”

The Scottish Football Association have given their seal of approval for Rangers newco to be granted full membership.

Charles Green’s company, who changed their name from Sevco Scotland to The Rangers Football Club this week, were granted a conditional licence last Friday after applying to transfer the membership of the soon-to-be-liquidated Rangers.

That allowed them to field a Rangers team in the Ramsdens Cup against Brechin – a game they won 2-1 after extra time.

Full membership depended on Rangers’ Scottish Premier League share being handed to Dundee – a formality that was completed on Friday morning.

A statement later on Friday read: “The Scottish FA can confirm that The Rangers Football Club Ltd have today received confirmation that full membership of the association has been transferred.”

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) announces a new TV distribution agreement with FOX’s STAR channels, to broadcast the highlights of the major shooting competitions of the 2013 season.  

The deal includes the distribution of 26-minute highlights of the whole 2013 ISSF Shooting World Cup Series. 

STAR will broadcast TV productions of this year’s 7 ISSF World Cup Stages, of the 2ISSF World Cup Finals and the ISSF World Championship.   

The agreement is a further step forward in the ISSF communication strategy aiming to the diffusion of the shooting sport on all platforms: TV, press, internet, social and mobile. 

A worldwide audience of about 400 millions viewers watched ISSF competitions on TV, through the 2011 and 2012 seasons (not including the Olympic Games). 

About 150 TV station from all around the world used ISSF TV footage, a production including more than 180 hours of Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun events, covering all ISSF World Cup Stages and World Championships in 2011 and 2012, as emerged from the TV Distribution Report that the ISSF received from independent analyst.