Serie A clubs Atalanta, Siena and Novara have been accused of match-fixing pertaining to manipulation of games and bet frauds, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed.

In a comprehensive 48-page list released by the FIGC, 22 clubs were named along with 61 individuals that have been reported to the football authorities in connection with a match-fixing and betting investigation.

A statement from the FIGC read: ”Regarding the investigation carried out by the magistrates of Cremona, the Federal prosecutor has reported to the Disciplinary Commission 22 clubs, 61 people, of which 52 were active players at the time of the investigation, four were executives and three were registered as coaches.”

The investigation has been carried out by magistrates of the northern Italian city of Cremona and its focus is on 33 games over the past two seasons, the majority of which were in Serie B.

However, matches played in the last two Coppa Italia tournaments are under scrutiny.

In an earlier investigation, 17 people were arrested by Italian police last year, including Atalanta captain Cristiano Doni.

Atalanta, who had been promoted to Serie A at the end of the 2010-11 season, began the current campaign with a six-point deduction as punishment for match-fixing.

Doni was banned from football for three and a half years by the FIGC’s disciplinary committee.

IFM Sports Marketing Surveys have bolstered its leadership team to develop and deliver its full range of research initiatives and advisory services by appointing Michael Stone as Head of Research and Consultancy and promoting Jon Stainer to Deputy Managing Director. These two key appointments have been made as a result of continued substantial growth in the business, cialis particularly in the Middle East and Asia.

Managing director Les Kelly said: “In Michael Stone we have recruited an experienced senior market research consultant with over 20 years’ experience working with blue chip companies at Synovate and the Electoral Reform Service. With over 10 years’ experience at IFM SMS, sales Jon has a wealth of knowledge across all areas of our business. He will continue to head up our Sales & Marketing operation ensuring that our renowned customer focused outlook remains central to the business going forward.   These two key appointments, along with the creation of a focused in-house marketing team, reflect our continued commitment to offering industry leading research and consultancy to our clients.”

The European Broadcasting Union, there operating EUROVISION, order and the World Rowing Federation (FISA), anabolics have agreed a four-year renewal of all European media rights from 2013-2016.

This agreement includes the World Rowing Championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015, the annual World Rowing Cup series, and the European Rowing Championships. The 2015 World Championships will serve as the Olympic Qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The opening event of the renewed agreement will be the first regatta of the 2013 Samsung World Rowing Cup series from 22 – 24 March, in Sydney.

FISA President Denis Oswald said: “Our relationship with the EBU started in the early 1980s, and it has been a long and successful one. But, as everyone knows, much has changed in the television world in recent years, particularly in the way that sports events are televised, and how their rights are exploited and distributed. In the light of these many significant changes, I am pleased to acknowledge that EUROVISION has shown the flexibility and foresight to adapt to these times. I look forward to a highly collaborative and productive relationship with the EBU and their Members through to 2016.”

EUROVISION Director Sports & Business Stefan Kuerten added: “FISA was the first international sports federation to join the Olympic movement, making rowing today a time-honoured mainstay of the modern Olympic Games. That FISA has once again entrusted EUROVISION and the EBU Members with giving rowing’s marquee events the free to air exposure they deserve tells of a thriving partnership that will continue to grow in strength.”

Following Bill Miller’s decision to end his bid for Rangers Football club, the SPL clubs administrators have revealed three other bidders who have expressed an interest in buying the stricken club after Bill Miller withdrew his offer.

American businessman Miller, who was named preferred bidder on Thursday, informed Duff and Phelps he no longer wanted to buy the club on Tuesday afternoon.

The stricken Glasgow giants, who were plunged into administration in February and have been battling to avoid liquidation, looked to have turned a corner until the latest setback.

Miller had won preferred bidder status ahead of the Blue Knights, while Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy has also been linked with the Scottish Premier League outfit.

A statement from Duff and Phelps read: “Since Bill Miller was announced as preferred bidder on Thursday of last week it is regrettable that more progress could not have been made for the sale of the club.

“We were informed by his advisors that there were a number of issues that he felt uncomfortable with, including legacy contracts, the limitations of potential revenue streams and the expectation of required investment.

“Given the fact that Mr Miller did not enter into an exclusivity agreement, we have informed all known potential bidders at the time that the door is not closed.

“As a consequence of Mr Miller’s bid being accepted, three other bidders have come forward to express their interest in buying the club.

“These offers are being evaluated with the utmost urgency.”

Andy Hornby has been appointed as the new chief executive of bookmaker Coral retail & remote gambling division.

The appointment comes after a 12 month search for a replacement for Nick Rust who left Gala Coral for competitor Ladbrokes last year.

Hornby is the former Group Chief Executive of Alliance Boots, the international pharmacy-led health & beauty group & previously the Group Chief Executive of banking group HBOS until its rescue takeover by Lloyds TSB Group in 2008.

A spokesman for Coral said: “We are delighted that someone of [Hornby’s] calibre is taking the reins and will be chief executive of retail and remote gambling.”

A leaked document sent by Blackburn Rovers deputy chief executive Paul Hunt to the club’s owners has caused further controversy around the ownership of the club after he warned of the need for further investment and called for the removal of manager Steve Kean.

The latter, which Hunt has confirmed is genuine, was sent in December when fears over relegation were growing stronger.

The latter, published on Sportingintelligence.com, saw Hunt asking Venky’s to “make some significant changes to save the club, perhaps from relegation but also perhaps from administration”.

As part of a ten-point plan, Hunt wrote: “Publicly I have been asked to support the manager and I always have as I personally like Steve. I have supported him from the start and have been desperate for him to do well.

“However, I am now of the opinion that it isn’t working and he is ready to go. He has lost the crowd and as a result of this evening’s game has lost the dressing room as well – the players no longer want to play for him. It is a shame and disappointing but we must act now to save the club. The board should be asked their opinion in who should be the new manager.”

Problems with the club’s finances were made public in the press and Hunt had warned that players would legally be allowed to annul their contracts.

“As you are aware Barclays have asked for the owners to put £10m into the business. This needs to happen and I am confident that this could only be a loan as we would increase the value of the club significantly.

“With all the speculation in the press the playing staff value and overall club value is depreciating on a daily basis. By putting an end to this the owners would be protecting their investment, putting their trust in the executive team and the club. The position with the finances is a cause for grave concern. Auditors KPMG have put as many obstacles as they can in the way of signing off the accounts due to their concerns. We continue to try and work with Barclays but they are very quickly losing patience as we cannot give answers.

“During January we need additional funding to pay wages etc. Scottish club Hearts did not pay their players in November and have effectively breached their contracts. By law (supported by FIFA) the players can now annul their contracts, seek other clubs and still chase the club for payment of their wages. Clearly, the club will not receive any fee for any transfers.”

Hunt also advised the owners that fans were abandoning the club at an “alarming rate” and suggested kit suppliers Umbro could follow suit.

“I am concerned we will lose Umbro if we continue to manufacture Rovers shirts in India for the RoverStar programme. Their contract specifically disallows this and we are putting at risk £800k of annual revenue. The Blackburn Rovers and Venky’s brands are both suffering terribly. Whilst there are negative goings on such as protests, complaints, media stories, unhappy fans etc, then both brands are losing brand equity and consequently, losing value.”

Hunt, who also sought a promotion to CEO and “a relatively modest increase” in salary in his letter, told the owners that he was acting in the club’s best interests.

“Please don’t view this as me questioning the owners unjustly,” he wrote. “Please be reassured that I do question things, it means I am doing things right for the club and the owners by not accepting things lightly. This is how I work and how I must continue to work to get the best for Blackburn Rovers. With my experience of Blackburn now and my previous experience at three other prominent clubs, I do feel as though my suggestions come from a position of strength and can make a huge difference to life at Blackburn Rovers.”

Rod Street has been appointed chief executive of the horse-racing’s Qipco British Champions Series.

Street played a key role in the formation of the series, designed to throw the spotlight on Britain’s best races, as chief executive of Racing for Change.

He will remain as chief executive of Racing Enterprises Limited that incorporates the Racing for Change project.

Prior that he was managing director of Northern Racing for five years.

He said: “The promotion of Britain’s finest horse racing is one of Racing for Change’s main pillars, so I’m excited to be even more closely involved with the Qipco British Champions Series and very much believe we can build on its initial success.”

Street succeeds Karl Oliver, who orchestrated the creation, planning and commercial delivery of the series.

Oliver said: “It is with sadness that I leave British Champions Series Ltd, however I have achieved everything I set out to do.

“The series is in good shape commercially, with broadcast and sponsorship agreements in place and a strong shareholder board and management team to take the business forward.

“I wish Rod all the very best in his new role and look forward to seeing the series go from strength-to-strength. I now intend to take a well-earned break before announcing my next challenge later in the year.”

Sky Sports have further endeavoured into the rugby market by signing broadcast deals with three 6 Nations teams for four years from 2014.

The broadcaster will show Ireland’s Guinness Series as well as France and Italy’s Autumn Internationals.

Managing director of Sky Sports Barney Francis said: “Our rugby union schedule has never been stronger and only on Sky Sports can viewers now enjoy such a strong lineup of live autumn Internationals.

“With European teams taking on the finest southern hemisphere opposition each November, these matches make for fascinating viewing. 

“Add these agreements to our year round coverage of rugby union, including the British & Irish Lions and Heineken Cup, and Sky Sports continues as the home of televised rugby union.”

Chief executive of the IRFU (Irish Rugby Football Union) Philip Browne added: “Sky Sports has built a reputation as one of the top broadcasters of rugby over the last ten years and are synonymous with the professional game at both European and international levels.

“The IRFU are delighted to be able to announce this partnership and believe that the quality of Sky Sports coverage of our November internationals will be a wonderful platform for Irish Rugby.”

The three four-year deals join England’s QBE Internationals on Sky’s schedules
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703.460 Euro haben die Vereine der Fußball-Bundesliga in der abgelaufenen Saison durchschnittlichfür jedes Tor ausgegeben. So hat es der Effizienzrechner (http://www.zeit.de/sport/fussball-kosten)von ZEIT ONLINE ermittelt. Er setzt die erzielten Tore, Siege, Punkte und gespielten Pässe insVerhältnis zum Lizenzspieleretat.

Dabei sind die Unterschiede innerhalb der Liga groß, wie das interaktive Tool von ZEIT ONLINE zeigt.Der FC Bayern München kann als Vize-Meister zwar sportlichen Erfolg vorweisen, wegen seineshohen Etats hat ihn in dieser Spielzeit jedes Tor aber auch 1.298.701 Euro gekostet. Zum Vergleich:Der Deutsche Meister aus Dortmund gab nur 512.500 Euro pro Tor aus. Damit ist die Borussia abernicht der Effizienzmeister der Liga. Der Titel geht an den SC Freiburg, dessen Tore nur jeweils 293.478Euro kosteten. Auf den Plätzen folgen die Teams aus Augsburg und Mainz. Am ineffizientesten warenneben dem FC Bayern die Mannschaften aus Wolfsburg und Hamburg.

Ein Sieg ist den Bundesligisten im Durchschnitt 2,8 Millionen Euro wert. Am teuersten musste sichder Hamburger SV seine Erfolge erkaufen. Weil die Hamburger nur achtmal gewannen, aber einenrelativ hohen Etat haben, kamen sie auf die Rekordsumme von 4,375 Millionen Euro pro Sieg. ZumVergleich: Der SC Freiburg gewann mit nur einem Bruchteil der Ausgaben zweimal häufiger. SeineErfolge kosteten demnach nur 1,35 Millionen Euro. Ähnlich effizient: Borussia Mönchengladbach,Borussia Dortmund und der 1. FC Nürnberg.