Russia will appeal UEFA’s decision to dock the team six points in qualifying for the next European Championship if their fans misbehave again, the Russian soccer federation said on Thursday.

The federation said in a statement on its website: “…the Russian soccer federation is entitled to prepare and submit a written appeal against UEFA’s decision and this will be done within the allotted time for this procedure,” 

UEFA acted after disturbances at Russia’s opening Euro 2012 game against the Czech Republic last Friday where Russian fans set off and threw fireworks and displayed illicit banners at the Group A match in Wroclaw which Dick Advocaat’s team won 4-1.

John Mara owner of NFL Team New York Giants has been appointed chairman of the NFL Management Council, the league’s most powerful committee.

Commissioner Roger Goodell announced several changes to the leadership of league committees, with Mara replacing Panthers owner Jerry Richardson as head of the Management Council, which is the main NFL labor committee.

Goodell also has formed a committee on health and medical issues that will be chaired by 49ers owner John York. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Falcons president Rich McKay, Packers president Mark Murphy and Mara also will serve on that group, called the Health and Safety Advisory Committee.

There have been few significant changes to the committees in recent years due to labor and other issues.

“Our committee structure has been very important and beneficial to the NFL over the years,” Goodell said. “It has allowed us to address and study complex issues in depth and present our clubs with comprehensive information and thoughtful recommendations.”

Most notable is the creation of the health and safety unit as the league deals with increasing concerns about the health of current and former players, and the dangers of the sport.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said: “Player health and safety has been a key focus of the league for decades. An ownership level committee will support and oversee all of our work in this area that is critical to the future of the game.”

Other new committee chairmen are Texans owner Bob McNair (finance), Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver (investment), Steelers president Art Rooney (stadium), Chargers president Dean Spanos (business ventures), Bengals executive Katie Blackburn ( Super Bowl advisory), Chiefs owner Clark Hunt (international) and Jones (Hall of Fame).

McNair said: “I’m honored that commissioner Goodell has asked me to serve in this capacity. The finance committee is one of the most important committees in the NFL. We have many challenges facing us in the future and I look forward to working with the commissioner and staff and other members of the committee as we do our financial planning to continue to be a successful enterprise going forward.

“Fortunately, I’ve been on the committee for a number of years and so I am familiar with its workings and so I don’t see there will be much of a transition to move from being a member of the committee to being the chairman.”

Stepping down as chairmen are Saints owner Tom Benson (finance), Broncos owner Pat Bowlen (labor), McNair (investment), Weaver (business ventures), Bears chairman Mike McCaskey (Super Bowl advisory and Hall of Fame), and York (international). Of course, McNair, Weaver and York are taking on similar duties with other committees.

Staying on as chairs are Patriots owner Robert Kraft (broadcast), McKay (competition), Falcons owner Arthur Blank (audit and compensation), Saints executive Rita LeBlanc (employee benefits), Cardinals president Michael Bidwill (stadium security and fan conduct), Jones (NFL Network), Patriots executive Jonathan Kraft and Redskins owner Dan Snyder (digital media), Colts owner Jim Irsay (legislative), and Blackburn (workplace diversity).

In light of continued media speculation regarding the management and governance of the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) and the purpose of the International Rugby Board’s meeting with the Union next month, allergy the IRB feels that clarification is required around some assumptions.

The IRB does have concerns that the current situation could create instability and have a negative impact on the management of the Union and key IRB funded Development and High Performance programmes and also Rugby World Cup 2011 preparations. These concerns have been communicated to the Union, cheap who have fully assisted with our ongoing enquiries.

With IRB Chief Executive Mike Miller in New Zealand in early February for Rugby World Cup meetings there is a good opportunity to visit senior Union representatives and undertake a fact finding mission. Miller will be accompanied by IRB Regional General Manager for Oceania William Glenwright, drugs who oversees the implementation of the IRB funded programmes in the Pacific Islands.

It would be inappropriate to comment on the validity of any media assumptions regarding the Union’s management or governance until the visit has been completed and a full assessment undertaken.

NeuLion, Inc., a leading enabler and provider of live and on-demand sports content to Internet-connected devices and Major League Soccer announced the delivery of MLS LIVE, the ultimate digital soccer experience for fans to watch live, condensed and archived MLS games in HD.

MLS streaming video has experienced tremendous success due to the increased access to live content anytime, anyplace and the innovation of new consumer features.

MLS LIVE, powered by NeuLion, has seen a 125% growth in subscriptions each and every year since migrating to NeuLion’s technology platform. MLS LIVE has been available on a robust list of Internet-connected devices including PCs, iPhones, iPads, Roku boxes and Panasonic Viera and for the 2013 season will be offered on Android smartphones and tablets as well.

Major League Soccer and NeuLion recently extended their multiyear agreement with the launch of MLS LIVE for this season. MLS games will be delivered in HD quality video, streaming at 4.5mbps and are packed with interactive touch points for fans that include key play markers, slow motion viewing, real-time live stats, DVR fans controls, social media integration and more.

“Our partnership with NeuLion helps us deliver a soccer experience for our fans which is crucial for our digital strategy,” said Chris Schlosser, Vice President, MLS Digital. “With the tremendous success of MLS LIVE, we are excited to continue to add even more ways for our fans to enjoy all the action for this season.”

As a subscription-based service soccer fans receive unlimited access to live and archived matches, highlights, schedules, standings, league leaders and stats for each player with just a single login that can be used on multiple devices, no matter where they are.

“NeuLion understands the importance of staying cutting edge for soccer fans and meeting the demands of the consumer; all while increasing subscriptions for the league,” said EVP and Co-Founder of NeuLion, Chris Wagner. “NeuLion’s Sports Platform offers fans live and on-demand access across multi-screens and takes the experience to the next level by incorporating a host of interactive touch-points that keeps fans constantly engaged and coming back for more. It’s a lot more than just streaming the match. We are really excited for the upcoming season and eager to see how fans engage with each live match on digital as the year progresses.”

Danish soccer star Nicklas Bendtner is to face punishment for a marketing sneak attack involving his underwear.

Celebrating his second goal in Denmark’s 3-2 loss Wednesday against Portugal, Bendtner lifted his shirt and lowered his shorts slightly, revealing the name of an Irish betting firm across the top of his underpants, which had the name of a company that is not an official sponsor of the event.

European football’s governing body said in a statement: “Uefa has today announced that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtner for improper conduct (Law 4 of the Laws of the Game) at the Uefa EURO 2012 Group B match against Portugal in Lviv on Wednesday 13 June.

 

“The Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body will deal with this case on Monday.”

Not only is that against UEFA rules, which bar players from wearing any sponsor advertising on their kit. It also didn’t go down well with a British gambling company, one of the official sponsors of Denmark’s national team.

Ambush marketing involves companies trying to get attention at an event without paying official sponsorship fees which organisers tend to hate. Soccer governing body UEFA has Euro 2012 rules that everything worn by players must be free of unauthorized ads — so Bendtner could face some punishment.

He’s said, however, that he didn’t know there was anything wrong with wearing his “lucky underwear” and that he won’t wear those boxers again. Paddy Power, the betting firm whose logo was on the underwear, tweeted a picture of that logo being revealed right after it happened. But the firm says it didn’t pay Bendtner.

British all-time record holder in the discus, pills Lawrence Okoye has been named as the latest ambassador and member of the Athlete Commission for London’s bid to host the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships. ??

The London-born 20 year-old, impotent 6’6” and 22 stone, impotent is lending his support to his home city’s bid to stage the global athletics event in London’s Olympic Stadium in 2017. 

Okoye shot to prominence in July with a British all-time record throw of 67.63m. 

Okoye will have the unique opportunity to influence London’s bid for a championships after he will be in his prime at 25 when the championships begin in summer 2007.

Okoye joins fellow Brits Denise Lewis (Chairman) and Jason Gardener (Vice-Chairman) on the Athlete Commission, as well as international stars Haile Gebrselassie, Jesse Williams and Fabiana Murer.

Lawrence Okoye said: “As a Londoner I am very excited and passionate about the future of athletics in my home city and I leapt at the opportunity to help shape our bid for the 2017 IAAF World Championships. London has so much to offer in terms of tradition, fan support for the world’s best athletes and a fantastic new Olympic Stadium. It would be a dream come true to be able to host and compete in the world championships in front of an incredible London crowd in 2017.’?”

Ed Warner UKA chairman added: “Lawrence is one of the UK’s most exciting athletics prospects with remarkable talent and a very bright future ahead of him. To have him backing London 2017 is a great boost for us and the insight that he can provide as a young Londoner on the Athlete Commission will be hugely beneficial. We have built our bid around the ultimate athlete experience and the involvement of a potential star of 2017 like Lawrence, alongside the leadership of Denise Lewis, will further ensure that we fulfil that promise.”

The London 2017 bid, which has been put together by UK Athletics, DCMS, the Mayor of London, London & Partners and UK Sport, will be looking to secure the majority votes of the 27 IAAF Council Members before the decision on who will host the Championships is made on 11th November

ESPN’s ratings for the UEFA EURO 2012 games have seen a triple-digit viewership increase compared with the 2008 matches shown on the network.

Last Sunday’s 1-1 draw between Italy and Spain on ESPN was seen by an average of 2 million plus viewers, bigger than any of the 2008 games, except the final that was screened on ABC. That game, Germany vs. Spain, was watched by an average of 3.760 million viewers.

Through six matches, ESPN’s English-language presentation of the event is averaging 1,007,000 households and 1,328,000 viewers, up 198 percent and 214 percent, respectively, versus the first six games of the UEFA EURO 2008 (338,000 households and 423,000 viewers in 2008). The second most-watched game to-date as on Wednesday morning was Saturday’s Portugal-Germany matchup, a 1.1 household coverage rating, or 1,244,000 households and 1,798,000 viewers, second to only one ESPN game in all of 2008.

ESPN Deportes is also delivering strong ratings. Through the first three days (six matches), the matches averaged a 3.2 Hispanic household coverage rating (+66 percent from 2008) with 166,000 Hispanic households (+147 percent from 2008). The Spain vs. Italy match on Sunday, June 10, was the highest-rated and most-watched match so far, delivering a 6.0 Hispanic household coverage rating with 313,600 household impressions.

FIFA’s senior vice-president Julio Grondona has won a record ninth four-year term as Argentine Football Association (AFA) president even after allegations of money laundering and fraud had been revealed.

He won the unanimous support of the 46 members of an a AFA congress on Tuesday to serve as association president until 2015.

On Monday, Argentine businessman Carlos Avila accused the 80-year-old of money laundering and corrupt administration, allegations that were shown on a TV programme aired on Canal America. The broadcaster is owned by Grondona rival Daniel Vila, president of the Independiente de Mendoza.

According to the Buenos Aires Herald, Avila’s lawyer, Mariano Cuneo Libarona, revealed the balances of Swiss bank accounts that he claimed were in the names of Grondona, family members and business partners totalling about $30 million. Libarona claimed the money was gained by corrupt means.

Grondona is also caught on hidden camera allegedly discussing sending “black money” to cable TV companies.

Grondona’s lawyer, Francisco Castex, said Monday’s programme was nothing more than another attempt by Vila to defame the AFA boss, insisting he had no clue where the bank records shown to viewers had come from and arguing that the videos were edited to distort the facts.

Grondona made headlines during the summer, when he labelled the English “liars” and “pirates” at the FIFA Congress in Zurich in a spat over England’s failed 2018 World Cup bid.

Grondona was first elected as AFA chair in 1979, just months after Argentina’s World Cup win.

FOX Sports South and SportSouth have acquired the exclusive local TV broadcasts of 45 Atlanta Braves games.

“We are extremely happy to consolidate these 45 additional games with our current partner, symptoms FOX Sports, doctor ” said Derek Schiller, Atlanta Braves Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing.  “This agreement makes it easier for fans to follow our team and aligns our interests of continuing to have the highest quality, award winning broadcasts with the championship caliber Braves baseball teams.” 

“Adding these 45 additional Atlanta Braves games to FOX Sports South and SportSouth is big win for Braves fans across the southeast” said Jeff Genthner, Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports South and SportSouth. “Beginning this season, Braves fans from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic Ocean can turn to FOX Sports South or SportSouth for the most expansive coverage of Braves baseball ever.” 

FOX Sports South will broadcast 72 games, while SportSouth will air 80 games during the 2013 season.  FOX Sports South and SportSouth will also televise six Spring Training games from Champion Stadium in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, beginning on March 13.  See attached for the complete Braves telecast schedule.

Arsenal FC has announced an exciting overseas project in China today with its international charity partner, Save the Children as the Club prepares for its pre-season tour of the Far East in July.

The Club will make a donation of £300,000 to its official global charity partner over three years, helping to dramatically improve the quality of education of disadvantaged children aged six to 15, in some of Beijing’s most under-resourced schools.

Together, Arsenal and Save the Children will train 200 teachers and 20 head teachers so that they have the necessary skills to plan and deliver improved and age-appropriate lessons for students in China’s curriculum. This will reduce the chances of children dropping out of school and the risk of being excluded from future opportunities in later life – giving more young people the chance to fulfil their potential.

Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation fighting for the rights of children worldwide. It has been implementing projects in China since the late 1980s and plays a crucial role in defending the rights of vulnerable children across the country through programmes in education, health, emergency response and child protection.

To celebrate the announcement, Arsenal Chief Executive Officer, Ivan Gazidis, visited an Early Childhood Care and Development Centre (ECCD) in Beijing today as the Club prepares for its forthcoming tour, meeting some of the teachers, community members and children at the neighbouring primary school that are set to benefit from the project.

Speaking about the initiative, Ivan said: “We are incredibly excited to be launching this new project which carries on our tradition of giving back to our community.

Our partnership with Save the Children will help us reach even more young people globally and give them a chance to realise their potential – a philosophy to which we are committed to both on and off the pitch at Arsenal.

Over the past 12 months players, supporters and staff have shown outstanding dedication and generosity towards our partnership with Save the Children and it’s fantastic that we can channel this commitment to our projects both in the UK and overseas that will have such a positive impact on so many lives.”

Justin Forsyth, Chief Executive of Save the Children, added: “Education has the power to transform lives and provide many children with a route out of poverty. This exciting next phase in our partnership with Arsenal will help us reach thousands of children in China, providing them with quality education to build a brighter future and reach their full potential.”

To engage Arsenal supporters in the project, the Club is gathering inspirational stories from players, staff and supporters about their own childhood which will be turned into a book to be delivered by Arsenal players on a trip to a school during the pre-season tour on Thursday 26th July.

Arsenal First Team players including Andre Santos, Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Frimpong, Gervinho, and Tomas Rosicky have all shared personal experiences from their childhood which will be included in this special edition book.