The FA will offer harsh penalties against players who use Twitter and other social networking sites to criticise match officials.

The news comes in the same week that controversial QPR captain Joey Barton announced his return to Twitter after what he called a ‘sabbatical’

Disciplinary chiefs have warned that internet posts will now be treated as public comment, and are therefore susceptible to the same rules as if they appeared in newspapers, on radio or on TV.

The FA have sent written warnings to all licensed agents after numerous complaints against attacks on referees. Players have been told that deleting posts or claiming that their account was accessed by another are no longer acceptable defences.

The letter states: “An individual is strictly responsible for any posting on his/her account.

“Participants should take every care to ensure that others do not access their account, as the fact that a posting or comment may have been made by a third party will not prevent disciplinary action being taken against the account holder.”

The letter goes on: “Any comments which are improper, bring the game into disrepute or are threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting may lead to disciplinary action. Comments about match officials which imply bias, attack the officials’ integrity or are overly personal in nature are considered improper.”

Any comments about a person’s ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, faith, gender, sexual orientation or disability ‘may be considered aggravated and attract a higher disciplinary sanction’ warns the letter.

Even re-tweeting another person’s post could lead to disciplinary action, while deleting an improper posting will not prevent action being taken.

Pitch has hired former London & Partners director Heidi Truman to lead the sports marketing agency’s events and experiential division.

The division, which was launched in January, has already delivered major projects in 2011 for Heineken UK, Royal Ascot and Sported.

With other high profile events already lined up for 2012, Truman’s expertise of London and the Olympic Games, working with key commercial partners as well as managing key event projects for London & Partners made her an ideal candidate to lead the team.  

The proposition for Pitch’s events team is integrated with the broader communications offer of the agency and Truman will be working to develop this further with both existing and new clients.    

Juliet Slot, managing director of Pitch, said: “We are delighted to have Heidi joining the Pitch team. Her experience within the events sector is exceptional and she will bring a wealth of knowledge and contacts to the agency.

“Her knowledge of the London landscape will also prove extremely beneficial for any existing or new clients as we head into a huge sporting year for the capital.

“With the new division already having delivered first class events for a range of clients, Heidi’s appointment will act to further enhance the range of skills on offer.”

The National Hockey League’s Nashville Predators have extended their broadcast deal with regional television partner FOX Sports Tennessee, mind along with sister station SportSouth.

Under the new agreement, FOX Sports Tennessee and SportSouth will televise a minimum of 75 Nashville Predators regular-season games beginning in the 2013-14 season, reaching over 4 million cable and satellite households across Tennessee, Kentucky and northern portions of Alabama and Mississippi.

The regional networks will televise 46 of the team’s 48 games in the current truncated season. FOX Sports Tennessee has been a Predators broadcast partner since the team’s inaugural season.

“To have a partner that recognizes the strength of the Predators brand and the importance of broadcasting in Nashville and across the southeast is tremendous,” Nashville Predators Executive Vice President Chris Parker said. “FOX Sports Tennessee and SportSouth are premier networks and this extension further solidifies the future of the Predators franchise. Following in the footsteps of other recently signed early extensions with existing partners, like Bridgestone Americas, this deal is a great indicator of our commitment to providing our fans – who tuned in at an all-time high last season – with a first-class experience when it comes to their team.”

“The Predators are a valued partner with a passionate and loyal following. We’re pleased to reach an agreement that will make FOX Sports Tennessee the home of Nashville Predators Hockey for many years to come,” said Jeff Genthner, Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports Tennessee and SportSouth. 

“To have a partner that recognizes the strength of the Predators brand and the importance of broadcasting in Nashville and across the southeast is tremendous,” Nashville Predators Executive Vice President Chris Parker said. “FOX Sports Tennessee and SportSouth are premier networks and this extension further solidifies the future of the Predators franchise. Following in the footsteps of other recently signed early extensions with existing partners, like Bridgestone Americas, this deal is a great indicator of our commitment to providing our fans – who tuned in at an all-time high last season – with a first-class experience when it comes to their team.”

“The Predators are a valued partner with a passionate and loyal following. We’re pleased to reach an agreement that will make FOX Sports Tennessee the home of Nashville Predators Hockey for many years to come,” said Jeff Genthner, Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports Tennessee and SportSouth.

Ratings for Nashville Predators telecasts on FOX Sports Tennessee and SportSouth increased 40 percent from the 2010-11 season to the 2011-12 season. The team’s 5.2 rating on SportSouth for Game Five of the 2012 Western Conference Quarterfinals against Detroit was the highest TV rating for a playoff game in franchise history, reaching 53,000 households. Keeping consistent with last year’s success, the Predators are averaging a 1.7 rating through the first several games of the season.

The FOX Sports Tennessee broadcast duo of play-by-play announcer Pete Weber and analyst Terry Crisp enter their 15th season calling Predators’ action. In addition to game telecasts, Weber and Crisp will co-host LEXUS Predators LIVE, an extended post-game coverage show after every game on FOX Sports Tennessee. Returning for his fifth season is Mark Howard, rinkside reporter for all Predators home games.

Starting this season, Predators fans will see increased and expanded programming with further integration of in-game elements such as inside-the-glass features and bench hits as well as a new semi-permanent broadcast location in the FOX Sports Tennessee Zone inside Bridgestone Arena. 

Fans will benefit from cutting edge TV technology, such as FOX-MO, the network’s super-slow-motion replay system. Predators players and personnel continue to be featured in FOX Sports Tennessee original programs such as Predators Snapshot.

English Conference North team Darlington FC has been bought by fans’ company Darlington FC 1883 (DFC 1883) in a deal which it is hoped will give the club a sustainable future.

DFC 1883 has agreed to buy the club’s assets and goodwill from administrator Harvey Madden.

The deal had gone through without a company voluntary arrangement in place, meaning creditors, including former chairman Raj Singh, will not get their money back and the club could face further sanction from the Football Association.

The new proposal of moving ahead without a CVA and playing away from the Arena is radically different to the original plan.

This has prompted the community company to begin the process of returning money to fans who bought shares through the Crowdcube funding system.

However, supporters will be urged to reinvest their money in the new plans, with DFC 1883 saying it needs at least £200,000 reinvested before the end of June.

It is understood Darlington Uncovered fans forum has already said the money it raised would be reinvested.

Darlington FC Supporters Club has also pledged to put its cash back in.

DFC 1883 said yesterday morning that it was ready to submit its offer for the club, however further complications emerged later in the day which prevented the purchase.

It is understood the complications surrounded the players wages and the 25 per cent of their salaries they have not been paid since the club was placed in administration.

DFC 1883 learnt on Wednesday that it would become liable for the unpaid wages once it took over.

In order for the purchase of the club to go ahead, members of DFC 1883 this morning contacted all players asking them to agree to temporarily waive the money they are owed, which is understood to total around £100,000.

Noel Le Graet was elected to replace Fernand Duchaussoy as president of the French Football Federation (FFF) after a difficult year for the body in relation to the national team’s dreadful performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Le Graet received more than half of the votes cast in Saturday’s, June 18, election. despite not standing in the December vote which initially confirmed Duchaussoy in his post with 79.4% of the vote, Le Graet picked up 54.39% of the ballot on Saturday.

Le Graet is the president of Ligue 2 outfit Guingamp, is a former French League president and has been FFF vice-president since 2005, and told AFP: “My most important immediate task is to put Joel Muller (head of the French coaches association) to work to meet with the national coaches, to define a strategic plan and then to introduce a national technical director with a clear way forward.”

Jean-Pierre Escalettes resigned as FFF chief after the team returned from the finals in South Africa and Duchaussoy took over as interim head.

Le Graet’s term will run until December 2012, and he said: “One can lay down ones marker. Things will happen. After that people will decide once again for an important mandate which will take us up to the hosting of Euro 2016. And the federation will be far better off economically.”

Sky Germany have renewed their broadcast deal with Formula One until 2015.

Carsten Schmidt, doctor Chief Officer Sports, Advertising Sales & Internet, said: “After Sebastian Vettel delivered a hat-trick of wins now Sky with a hat-trick have cause for celebration for all Formula 1 fans. By extending our long-standing partnership in 2015 fans will be able to see the entire Grand Prix weekend live and in HD in the future only on Sky. “

Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One Group CEO: “I am delighted to continue our partnership with Sky in the future.” 

With Sky Go, Sky customers will still be able to pursue the fight for World Cham-pionship on their mobile, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Xbox 360 and online at skygo.sky.de.

Irish soccer team, sale Glentoran, stomach financial problems have continued following their inability to pay players and staff for the month of April.

The Irish Prmiership club asked theIrish Football Association for a cash loan at a meeting on Wednesday afternoon. according to BBC Sport.

The club avoided being wound up last year thanks to a donation of around £450,000 from a mystery benefactor.

Glentoran needed that money to pay debts which included a huge tax bill.

Glentoran were actually celebrated a final day win their Premier league campaign but this news has flusterd them.

Glentoran previously had difficulties paying wages in July 2010.

The £450,000 payment from the mystery benefactor helped bail out the club in February 2011.

Last year, the Irish FA lent £233,000 to a number of Irish League clubs which was in effect an advance of prizemoney up to May of next year.

Glentoran are asking for either an advance of prize money for 2014, or else a straight loan from the Irish FA.

 

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has announced today, June 15, that its Director of Sport Sir Clive Woodward has been appointed Chef de Mission to lead Team GB at the inaugural winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG), which takes place in Innsbruck, Austria from 13-22 January 2012.

The news may come as a blow to any hopes that the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) may have had to persuade the former World Cup winning coach to take up their vacant Performance Director role, an appointment process which saw CEO John Steele resign from his post last week.

Woodward will be supported by BOA Head of Winter Sport Engagement Mike Hay as Deputy Chef de Mission and the appointment follows Woodward’s role as Team GB Deputy Chef de Mission at both the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

BOA Chief Executive Andy Hunt said: “I am delighted that our top young winter athletes will benefit from Clive’s vast experience and expertise in leading a successful team and creating the performance focused environment to enable them to perform to the best of their ability.

“Having witnessed the excellent quality of the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last summer, I am sure that Innsbruck 2012 will provide an excellent opportunity for the athletes to gain experience of a multi-sport environment and prepare themselves for the demands they will face in progressing their careers through to senior international, and ultimately, Olympic level.”

BOA Director of Sport Sir Clive Woodward said: “I am delighted to take on the role of Chef de Mission for the first winter Youth Olympic Games. Last month we saw first-hand the excellent preparations being made for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and I am sure that the YOG in Innsbruck will be an important stepping stone in the development of our best young winter athletes both on and off the field of play. 

“Following the outstanding success of the first YOG in Singapore last summer I have every confidence that the International Olympic Committee will again provide an environment of the highest quality to allow the young athletes to gain vital experience of the unique Olympic environment. 

“I am sure that every young British winter athlete was inspired by Amy Williams’ thrilling gold medal performance at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Our ambition for the YOG is to find and develop Team GB Olympians of the future and give them the best opportunity to follow in Amy’s footsteps.”

Major League Baseball (MLB) team Cleveland Indians and WTAM AM/1100 have reached agreement on a five-year deal that allows the Clear Channel station to carry the team’s games.

Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus will remain as announcers.

The team also announced that WMMS FM/100.7 will simulcast an estimated 144 of its games per season over the length of the contract.

WTAM has carried Indians games on the radio since 1998. This will be Tom Hamilton’s 24th season as the voice of the Indians. Rosenhaus is entering his second year as Hamilton’s full-time partner and seventh season as part of the broadcast team.

In December, the Indians announced that they sold SportsTime Ohio to FOX for an estimated $230 million, guaranteeing an estimated $400 million in rights fees for at least the next 10 years. STO had televised Tribe games since 2006.

The Indians start Cactus League play on Feb. 22 against Cincinnati. They open the regular season April 2 in Toronto.

Under terms of the new deal, WTAM will broadcast all regular season Tribe games. WTAM will carry 15 games from spring training every year and will distribute all games to the 26 stations on the Indians radio network throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania.

“The Cleveland Indians are proud and excited to continue our 15-year partnership with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment,” said Indians President Mark Shapiro in a prepared statement. “We are fortunate that this parnership continues our consistent broadcast on WTAM, while expanding our radio presence to a new FM audience through WMMS.”

American business tycoon Bill Miller is nearing a takeover of Rangers after being granted ‘preferred bidder’ status by administrators Duff and Phelps.

Miller, who made his wealth in the tow truck industrt, was vying for control with the Blue Knights consortium led by former Rangers director Paul Murray and backed by Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy, and now appears to have won the race to succeed Craig Whyte as owner.

Miller last month unveiled plans for an £11.2 million bid for Rangers that would create what he described as an “incubator” company while Duff and Phelps bid to take the club out of administration through a Creditors Voluntary Arrangement.

Joint administrator Paul Clark informed staff of the news at a meeting at Ibrox on Thursday morning.

Clark said on the club’s official website: “We would like to thank all parties for their efforts in seeking to submit bids which preserve the long history and success of the club.

“We are delighted to announce that today we have received an unconditional bid for the business and assets of Rangers Football Club plc from Mr Bill Miller which has been accepted in principle and he is now the preferred bidder.

“Mr Miller now proposes to complete his transaction by the end of the season.”

David Whitehouse, of Duff and Clark, told a press conference that they hoped to complete an agreement with Miller and with the club’s creditors before the end of the current season.

Whitehouse said Miller was seeking clarity over sanctions imposed against Rangers because of administration and that his bid was the best for the club and avoided the need for liquidation.

Whitehouse said: “I’d like to announce that today we’ve received an unconditional bid from Mr Bill Miller which has been accepted and he is now the preferred bidder.

“Mr Miller now proposes to complete the transaction before the end of the season. We believe the bid from Mr Miller provides not only the best deliverable outcome but preserves the history of the club.

“Rangers Football Club will continue as the football club it has for some 140 years.”

He added: “Mr Miller and his team have sought clarity in relation to any potential footballing sanctions. Very importantly the bid avoids the need for liquidation. All too often the term liquidation has been bandied about during this process without a clear understanding of what it actually means.

“There is no liquidation involved in this strategy and we cannot stress that strongly enough.”

Whitehouse revealed that Miller’s bid would achieve the terms of a Creditors Voluntary Agreement which would guarantee creditors were not left empty-handed.

“Mr Miller’s bid achieves that criteria,” he added. “Mr Miller’s proposal is the only unconditional bid we have received. The bid proposed by Mr Miller is greater than any other and provides the best return to creditors.”

Miller’s bid will also help resolve the issue of the majority shareholding in the club which is controlled by former owner Craig Whyte.

Whitehouse continued: “The bid from Mr Miller provides the best framework to deal with the issue of Rangers’ majority shareholding.

“We confirm that we envisage the sale of the club will be completed by the end of the current season. We hope fans will now support and appreciate the commitment made by Mr Miller.

“We expect to enter into a binding agreement with Mr Miller very soon.”