EFL Condemns Wembley Pitch Invasion by Millwall Supporters

The English Football League says the pitch invasion by Millwall fans at Wembley following their victory in the League One play-off final was “completely unacceptable”.

In a statement released on Monday, the EFL condemned the action of the fans who were celebrating the 1-0 win over Bradford City to secure Millwall’s return to The Championship.

The statement said: “It is a criminal offence to enter the playing area and whilst some of those who made the decision to break the law did so to celebrate their team’s success back to the Championship, a mindless few opted to goad the Bradford City players.

“Their actions were completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the EFL. The efforts of the Millwall manager and some of his players to remove the offenders from the pitch should be complimented as should Neil Harris’ appropriate and welcome apology on behalf of his Club.

“The EFL will be writing to Stuart McCall and his Bradford team to apologise for the situation they found themselves in.

“In addition, the EFL will be encouraging Wembley to work with both the Metropolitan Police and Millwall to identify those whose behaviour created the most concern on the day and to take the necessary and appropriate action.”

Portsmouth FC Shareholders Agree to Sell to Eisner Family Owned Tornante Group

The shareholders of Portsmouth Community Football Club this week voted in favour of selling the club to the Tornante Group, owned by the family of Michael Eisner.

Community shareholders in the Pompey Supporters’ Trust – the club’s principal shareholder with 48.5 per cent of the club’s equity – voted 80.3pc in favour of the PST selling its stake. Around 17pc voted against, with rejected ballots at 2.4pc. The turnout was 93.7pc.

Members of the PST voted 80.5pc in favour of the club’s 16 individual shareholders (the Presidents) being allowed to sell their respective stakes in the club, and 75pc of the Presidents voted to sell their respective stakes in the club, representing 32.9pc of the club’s equity.

Together with the PST’s 48.5pc, this means 81.4pc of the club’s equity holding is in agreement with the sale. The threshold to approve a sale, as laid down in the shareholders’ agreement, is 75pc.

Accordingly, the club will now proceed to negotiate the final terms of the sale with the Tornante Group over the coming weeks.

Paris 2024 Welcomes IOC Evaluation Committee to the City of Light

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Bid Committee has welcomed the International Olympic Committee’s Evaluation Commission to Paris ahead of the start of their official visit, on Saturday 13th May.

The three-day working visit, which got fully underway on Sunday, will provide an opportunity for members of the Commission to witness first hand Paris 2024’s compact Games plan and iconic venues, and experience the magic of Paris and its proposal for a spectacular city-centre celebration site: “Paris Olympic Park.”

Paris 2024 Co-Chair and three-time Olympian, Tony Estanguet, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Patrick Baumann and the IOC Evaluation Commission to Paris. We are ready to share with them everything that Paris has to offer and demonstrate why Paris is the perfect partner and ideal host of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The people, the city and the whole of France are fully supportive of our bid which offers a Games of real passion and purpose for 2024. We, along with all our partners, look forward to showcasing Paris, an Olympic city that lives and breathes sport, to the IOC over the coming days.”

Paris 2024 Co-Chair Bernard Lapasset, said:

“Today the IOC Evaluation Commission arrived in Paris for their visit and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome them. We are ready for this decisive stage in our bid, just as we are ready to host the Games in 2024. We want to show the IOC that they can rely on the Paris 2024 team to deliver great Games and we know they will feel the passion and enthusiasm of the French public for this bid.”

ECB Launch Media Rights Tender For Next Phase

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) started its formal media rights sale process for international and domestic cricket for the five-year period 2020-2024.

An invitation to tender document has been distributed, offering media rights for all matches played under the auspices of ECB in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The process offers opportunities for all broadcasters, platforms and distributors, to bid for live cricket, highlights and clips, for audio-visual, audio and digital use.

Following all submissions, an evaluation panel – with a depth of experience in media and cricket and including the chairman and CEO of ECB – will assess each bid in line with agreed criteria and the terms of the invitation to tender.

Tom Harrison, chief executive officer of ECB said: “This is a very important process and the outcome will be hugely significant for cricket in England and Wales.

“The game is in good shape, with inspiring international teams, strong County competitions, a recreational game that’s adapting to modern lifestyles and a new participation drive for a younger audience.

“Our partners for the next rights period will help us build on these very strong foundations and develop an even brighter future. They will understand our strategy, see the opportunities and share our ambitions for growth.

“Our competitions are attractive, the bidding criteria clear and we have a planned and proper approach to make the right decisions for the long-term growth and vitality of the game.”ECB Launch Media Rights Tender

Newcastle United Announce FUN88 As New Shirt Sponsor

FUN88 announced a three-year partnership with Newcastle United as the Magpies’ official shirt partner in the Club’s first season back in the Premier League following their Championship title win.

FUN88’s logo will be featured on the club’s famous black and white striped shirt in what will be a historic year, as Newcastle United celebrate their 125th Anniversary.

The brand will be given access to advertising within St. James’ Park stadium at the Club’s home matches and across online and social media channels in the UK and internationally.

FUN88 is an Asian online gaming company that offers sports betting and live casinos, which are both available in multiple languages.

Lee Charnley, Managing Director at Newcastle United, said: “It was important for us to find the right partner and in FUN88, we have a shirt sponsor that understands the club and brings significant benefits commercially. The relationship will enable the club and FUN88 to enhance our respective global profiles together as we celebrate a landmark season and embark on the exciting Premier League campaign ahead.”

Nathan Walker, Director at FUN88 commented: “It’s a hugely exciting time to partner with one of the most famous clubs in English football, Newcastle United. We are looking forward to engaging with the Club’s huge fanbase – both in the city of Newcastle and worldwide.”

Stoke City Acquire Top Eleven As Official Sleeve Partner

Stoke City becomes the first Premier League Club to attract a new commercial partner, Top Eleven, to become their Official Sleeve Partner.

The multi-year deal will see their logo on the left sleeve of City’s first team, U23’s and ladies shirts for all league games from the start of next season.

Other clubs have announced sleeve partnership deals but all with existing commercial partners.

City are the first Club to strike a deal with a new brand.

Top Eleven, a mobile football management game launched seven years ago, has more than 160 million registered users and has been played in every country around the world.

Stoke City Chief Executive Tony Scholes said: “Top Eleven are at the forefront of the football mobile games industry and they recognise the global reach that entering into a multi-year agreement with Stoke City gives them.

“We are delighted to become the first Premier League club to attract an entirely new commercial partner as Official Sleeve Partner and we look forward to a long and successful association with Nordeus and their Top Eleven football management game.”

Adelaide FC to be First Australian Club in eSports

Adelaide Football Club has entered into an agreement to acquire a professional eSports team, making it the first Australian team to enter the new mainstream sport.

Sydney-based Legacy eSports is one of eight top-tier League of Legends professional teams competing in the Oceanic Pro League (OPL).

eSports has an international audience of close to 250 million people, the majority of whom are aged 14-34 years, and in Australia, the professional competition is complemented by hundreds of semi-professional and amateur outfits.

The Crows move follows overseas sporting leagues, teams and individuals investing in eSports in the past 18 months.

Those include the NBA, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, former NBA players Magic Johnston and Shaquille O’Neal, baseballers Alex Rodriguez and Jimmy Rollins, and NFL legend Joe Montana, along with soccer powerhouses Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, FC Schalke and AS Roma.

Crows Chief Executive Andrew Fagan said:

“In many ways, eSports represents the intersection of technology, media and entertainment, which are all a key part of our strategic focus.

“Across the globe there are sporting clubs, billionaire investors and athletes becoming involved in eSports with a view to growing their brand and reach, driving commercial outcomes and engaging with new fans.”

Star Sixes Announce NSPCC As Official Charity Partner

This week, organisers Pitch International (London), in partnership with Football Champions Tour, announced the NSPCC as its official charity partner for Star Sixes, being staged at The O2, London, on 13, 14, 15 and 16 July 2017.

The NSPCC is the leading children’s charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK and Channel Islands.

Steven Gerrard, Alessandro Del Piero, Roberto Carlos, Michael Ballack, Robert Pires, Carles Puyol, Deco and Jay-Jay Okocha will be among the star names proudly wearing their national jerseys again with the NSPCC’s logo clearly visible on the back of their shirts.

The first-ever competitive world football tournament for fully-capped former international players will see England, Brazil, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Mexico, Nigeria, Portugal, Scotland, China and Denmark battle it out for the Star Sixes trophy.

Peter Wanless, NSPCC Chief Executive, said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen by Star Sixes as its official charity partner. Star Sixes sounds like a fantastic event and I’m sure football fans won’t want to miss it.

Neil Bailey, Star Sixes Chief Executive, said: “The NSPCC is renowned for its vitally important work in protecting children from all forms of abuse.

“Star Sixes is shaping up to be a great family event and with many young fans in attendance, it feels entirely appropriate to be supporting a charity that champions the safety of every child in the UK.”

Digital Fan Engagement Masterclass at Wimbledon Approaches

We’re only one week away from our Digital Fan Engagement Masterclass, taking place on the courts of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC), home of The Championships, Wimbledon, on 23rd May 2017.

This event is now full and therefore registration is closed. For more info about future events, please contact our Event Manager at  adi@isportconnect.com

Speakers at the event include Minerva Santana (LaLiga), Jeff Perkins (Thomson Reuters), Jerry Newman (Facebook), Jenny Smith (Jaguar & Land Rover), Sébastien Gillot (UCI), Alexandra Willis (AELTC), Sam Seddon (IBM) and David Alstadter (HSBC).

The Digital Fan Engagement Masterclass aims to provide an exclusive opportunity for top executives representing rights holders, media operators and brands to get ahead of the curve in the fast-changing digital ecosystem.

Networking will be the order of the day, and the unique atmosphere of the All-England Club will make meeting new people and learning about new opportunities all the more enjoyable.

As all iSportconnect events, it will be invite-only and will operate under Chatham House rules to encourage free exchange of ideas and views.

iSportconnect One of Many Up For Imminent Sports Business Awards

In just a little over two weeks the winners of the inaugural Sports Business Awards will be revealed at an afternoon ceremony presented by BBC presenter Dan Walker.

On Friday 2nd June at the Brewery in London, over 400 attendees from the sports industry will enjoy a delicious lunch and entertainment followed by the ceremony itself at which Gold Silver and Bronze Awards will be presented in the following categories.

Tables are filling up fast. Buy one today and take your seat amongst the following attending organisations (partial listing):

Access Sport • All Sport Insurance • Arsenal Football Club • Brighton & Hove Albion FC • British Canoeing • British Cycling • British Rowing • Cancer Research UK Events Team • Chelsea Football Club • Dunsar Media • Emirates Old Trafford • Euroleague Basketball • Football Whispers • GreaterSport • haysmacintyre • HRP Equestrian • Icons Shop Ltd • ILG Business Ltd • InCrowd • International Table Tennis Federation • Kick It Out • Liverpool Football Club • Lord’s Cricket Ground • MTD • Premiership Rugby • Rewards4Racing • Royal Parks Foundation • School Lettings Solutions • Sepang International Circuit • Sky Sports • Slick Sports • Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme • The Jockey Club Services • The Sports Consultancy.