Der Ligavorstand hat einen Fahrplan für die Umsetzung weiterer Maßnahmen mit Blick auf das Thema Sicherheit im Fußball beschlossen. Im Rahmen eines Gesamtkonzeptes wurden die auf der Sicherheitskonferenz am 17. Juli in Berlin definierten Handlungsfelder ausformuliert und zur Prüfung an die Clubs versendet. Bei der Mitgliederversammlung des Ligaverbandes am 27. September sollen die mit Hilfe erfahrener Praktiker aus den Vereinen erarbeiteten Eckpunkte zur Diskussion gestellt werden. Konkrete Beschlüsse und eventuelle Satzungsänderungen sollen dann erst in der letzten Mitgliederversammlung des Jahres im Dezember erfolgen. Den Clubs soll damit ausreichend Zeit gegeben werden, pharmacy um eine interne Abstimmung der einzelnen Punkte zu ermöglichen.

Das Konzept trägt der Tatsache Rechnung, order dass ein ehrlicher Dialog mit den Fans für ein friedliches Miteinander unverzichtbar ist, Liga und Clubs ihrerseits aber mit größtmöglicher Konsequenz die Voraussetzungen für einen sicheren Stadionbesuch zu gewährleisten haben. Oberste Priorität bei den vorgeschlagenen Maßnahmen haben Effektivität und praktische Umsetzbarkeit bei gleichzeitigem Erhalt der einzigartigen Fan-Kultur unter Einbeziehung von Stehplätzen. Ziel ist dabei, dass sich die Clubs auf gemeinsame Regelungen verständigen, die anschließend in die Statuten aufgenommen und dann auch von der DFL kontrolliert werden. Die Nichterfüllung dieser Regelungen könnte dann im entsprechenden Fall auch im Rahmen des Lizenzierungsverfahrens sanktioniert werden. Gleichzeitig soll bei der Verteilung der Medien-Erlöse darüber nachgedacht werden, gegebenenfalls Gelder einzubehalten, um die Finanzierung notwendiger Standards sicherzustellen.

Inhaltliche Kernpunkte des vorgelegten Konzeptes sind Verbesserungen in Bezug auf Ordnungsdienste, die Kommunikation unter allen Beteiligten vor und während des Spieltages sowie der infrastrukturellen Rahmenbedingungen. Hier werden unter anderem die Qualifizierung und Zertifizierung von Ordnungsdiensten vorgeschlagen. Zudem sollen Ordner der Gastclubs in die Sicherheitsabläufe der Heimclubs integriert werden. Insbesondere im Vorfeld von Spielen soll darüber hinaus die Kommunikation unter den Clubs durch standardisierte Abläufe intensiviert werden. Mit Blick auf den Einlass soll die Infrastruktur optimiert werden, damit – falls nötig – zusätzliche Kontrollen zügig und ohne unverhältnismäßigen Eingriff in die Persönlichkeitsrechte durchgeführt werden können. In Bezug auf moderne Videosysteme soll zunächst an jedem Standort eine Analyse stattfinden, die auch eine Einschätzung der Polizei beinhaltet, um dann gegebenenfalls einen gemeinsamen Standard zu definieren.

Für das Zusammenspiel zwischen den einzelnen Clubs und ihren Fans werden individuelle Vereinbarungen vorgeschlagen, die das Zusammenspiel unter Beachtung sportlicher Werte und geltender Vorschriften regeln. Auf Liga-Ebene soll durch die Einrichtung einer ständigen Kommission “Sicheres Stadionerlebnis” ein kontinuierlicher Austausch mit Vertretern der relevanten Stellen aus dem Bereich des Fußballs stattfinden. Dazu gehören beispielsweise auch Vertreter der Fan- und Sicherheitsbeauftragten sowie der DFB. Ferner ist der Ligaverband im Gespräch mit dem DFB mit Blick auf die Sportgerichtsbarkeit.

Bookmaker William Hill, based in the UK and online gaming provider GVC Holdings have revealed that they are considering a possible joint offer for Sportingbet.

The pair confirmed that any possible offer would be structured so that on completion ‘William Hill would acquire the Australian and certain other locally licensed businesses of Sportingbet’ with GVC acquiring the remainder of the business.

Sportingbet has around a 30% share of the Australian online gaming market which provided the firm with around 90% of its profits.

“The Boards of William Hill and GVC believe that by acting in combination they represent a highly credible possible offeror for the entire Sportingbet business, substantially in cash,” read the joint statement.

A separate release from Sportingbet confirmed that its board has received no approach. William Hill and GVC have until 16 October to announce a formal offer.

Sean Holt, CEO of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) has urged the UK government to help raise standards within the industry, following a £500 million cash injection into UK sport.

Speaking on BBC News recently, David Cameron announced that the boost for UK sport would be over the next four years to maintain Olympic sports at the same level before the 2016 Games in Rio.

UK Sport, the body that distributes money to Olympic and Paralympic sports, will receive £125 million per year.

Cameron said that the decision was to provide £125 million every year until 2016 aimed “to reward the success of the UK’s outstanding elite sport system” following the British team’s success at the London Games.

The Prime Minister also highlighted last week the need to introduce “more competitiveness” within schools across the UK to bring about a lasting sporting legacy.

“CIMSPA welcomes the announcement from David Cameron confirming that funding is secure for the sporting infrastructure in the run-up to Rio,” said Holt.

“We will be asking Government to ensure that the education and professional development of the sport and physical activity workforce is at the forefront of investment proposals. Without investment in the workforce – to raise standards of achievement – the much talked about continuation of elite sporting success and the competitive school agendas will not be achieved.”

Holt added that “those who work behind the scenes, the unsung heroes who made Team GB medals a reality, should not be overlooked in terms of workforce development.”

“It is the David Brailsford’s of the world who know what it took to get it so right at these games and we need his generation to educate the up and coming sporting administrators to ensure that their knowledge and experience is passed on.” 

The Prime Minister also announced on the closing day of the London Olympics that he will appoint Lord Seb Coe as his Olympic legacy adviser.

Coe, chair of the London 2012 Olympic organising committee who led the bid for the London Games, will advise the prime minister on the best way to secure long-term benefits for the UK. 

“Thankfully, as a great supporter and Companion of the chartered institute, Lord Seb Coe will no doubt have the issue of workforce development already in his sights,” added Holt.

“The bottom line is that CIMSPA, the chartered body created specifically to drive sustainable Olympic legacy within the workforce, is ready to take over the professional development baton to ensure that our sporting workforce keep up the good work.”

About CIMSPA

1. Launched in April 2011, CIMSPA is the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector.
2. The new Institute was formed, following pressure from Government, for the sports industry to merge and streamline existing workforce development bodies to create one single professional development body to represent the entire sport and physical activity sector.
3. CIMSPA provides leadership, professional development and a single unified voice for the sector. It also aims to drive standards of professional practice, which in turn will support increased participation, outcomes and contribution to UK plc.
4. CIMSPA was awarded Chartership status by the Royal Privy Council in January 2012, creating the first Chartered professional body for the sport and physical activity workforce.
5. CIMSPA is entirely self funded from membership fees and professional development training courses and to date has not received any grant funding or Government subsidy.
6. The title of the Chartered Institute reflects the need to support not just those working within sport and ‘formal’ sporting environments but those working in physical activity disciplines including health and community workers.
7. The Chairman of CIMSPA is Miles Templeman – former Director General of the Institute of Directors (IoD) and current Non Executive Director of the RFU.
8. In May 2012, the CIMSPA Rising Talent programme was launched to cater for the 30% of the 1 million workforce (ref SkillActive) who are under 30 years of age.
9. In August 2011, Sebastian Coe was awarded the position of Companion of CIMSPA in recognition of his significant contribution to the sports and physical activity sector.  In acceptance of the award, Lord Coe said, “I am  honoured to become a companion of CIMSPA, which marks a real milestone for the sports and physical activity sector in the UK.  By bringing together the skills and expertise of everyone in the industry, we will be in an incredibly strong position to ensure that the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be felt throughout the UK for many years to come.”

YouTube, under the ownership of Google Inc. since there US$1.65bn buyout in 2006, are reportedly in talks with major sporting leagues across North America and Europe, such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Hockey League, to show live games.

Google’s director of content partnerships for Asia Pacific, Gautam Anand revealed in an interview in Seoul yesterday, February 22, that YouTube aims to show more live sports in the second half of the year.

According to the head of YouTube Partnership at Google’s Korean unit, Brian Suh, Google is in talks with “most pro sports leagues” including NBA and NHL, as well as soccer leagues in Europe.

The company are hoping to build on the popularity of cricket’s Indian Premier League last year, with Anand stating: “One of the good things about IPL was that it really proved to a lot of sports leagues that broad-scale live- streaming type of exercise is something that’s possible. They took notice of IPL and have come to us, and entered into a lot more serious discussions.”

Adding live sports broadcasts may help YouTube expand revenue by keeping viewers on its site longer to woo more advertisers. YouTube’s contract to show cricket from the Indian Premier League, which gives the Google unit a share of ad revenue from games and the league’s website, brought in 55 million visits from more than 250 countries.

Anand added: “It’s fair to say that there will be a lot more appealing sports content you’ll see on YouTube. We have ongoing conversations with pretty much everyone.”

Although senior vice president for public relations at the NHL, Gary Meager, did not reply for comment, Michael Bass, senior vice president for marketing communications at the NBA, stated: “We’re pleased that YouTube recognizes the value of live sports.”

According to a report by the National Audit Office (NAO), Britain’s spending watchdog, construction of all the main London 2012 Olympic venues is on track, but the deadlines for the Aquatics Centre and part of the Athletes’ Village are becoming tight.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is currently on track to meet its budget and construction targets, with all 24 main infrastructure and venue projects due to be handed over to London 2012 for testing on or ahead of schedule.

5 of the 24 have already been finished, though construction on the Zaha Hadid-designed aquatics centre has slipped by two months to June 2011 because of complications with its wave-shaped roof. Additionally, two of the 11 residential blocks in the athletes’ village have taken 15 weeks longer than planned.

Despite the construction progress being on track, the NAO continued to express concern about London 2012 finances with question marks still surround funding for some projects.

The overall cost to the public purse of security during the Games has increased well over US$1bn from $967.85m to $1.22bn. 

This is mainly because the Government has now agreed to provide $454.9m from the $15bn Public Sector Funding Package for work to secure the perimeter of the Olympic Park and venues during the Games, offset by expenditure on wider security and policing which is now forecast to be $201.6m less than it was in March 2007, the report said.

Amyas Morse, head of the NAO, stated: “Good progress is being made in the preparations for the 2012 London Games which will begin in 17 months.

“All construction and infrastructure projects are forecast to be completed on time, albeit in two cases with little room to spare before the deadline for handover to LOCOG, the Games organiser, and operational planning has improved.

“However, the final cost of the Games to the taxpayer is inherently uncertain and as the Games near there will be less flexibility to make savings in response to any unforeseen financial pressures.”

English Premier League soccer club Sunderland has claimed that the last year, to July 2010, was one of “growth and development” despite announcing an annual loss of US$41.12m, a figure $3.22m deeper than the year previous.

Sunderland’s chief executive Steve Walton admitted that the club was “facing challenging economic times, both nationally and regionally”.

However, having only run up to the summer of 2010, the latest figures do no incorporate two major dealings in the club’s history. Firstly, the record signing of Ghanaian international striker Asamoah Gyan and secondly the club’s record sale in star man Darren Bent, whose transfer to rivals Aston Villa is reported to be a potential sum of $38.7m

Turnover rose to $105.46m but operating expenses – which include players’ wages and utilities charges – also went up, to $113.5m.

During the period Sunderland, known as the Black Cats, spent $42.25m on transfers, signing 10 players and taking three more on loan.

Mr Walton said: “There has been significant investment made to improve our playing squad and we are now starting to see the benefits of that investment.”

He said the support of owner Ellis Short put the club in a secure position, converting a further $30.6m of loans into shares in the club.

UK Sport, health the nation’s high performance sports agency, has today released details of their most exciting calendar of international sporting events to date for this crucial year of final preparations for British sports and athletes ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

UK Sport’s World Class Events Programme, which is currently backed by £3.5 million per year of National Lottery funding, expanded in 2007 following London’s successful bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with a doubling of investment to help ensure the UK’s sports and athletes would be best prepared come 2012.

Over 100 major international events will have been brought to the UK as part of this 2007-2012 programme to help British athletes prepare for competing at a home Games, and build expertise so that the UK can continue to host the biggest events in world sport long after the London Games is over.

The 2011 calendar, which is expected to include up to 27 events in at least 22 different sports, staged in various towns and cities across the UK, is the penultimate year of a six year strategic programme which will have seen 85% of Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic sports host a major international event on home soil by the time the Games begin.

UK Sport has worked in partnership with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to ensure that a number of the major international events on this programme will be staged in Olympic venues, providing LOCOG with the opportunity to test certain aspects of those events ahead of London 2012.

In 2011, UK Sport will be supporting five major international events in Olympic and Paralympic host venues. These will be the World Badminton Championships (Wembley), World Junior Rowing Championships (Eton Dorney), World Triathlon Championships Series (Hyde Park), BMX Supercross World Cup (Olympic Park) and the Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final (Greenwich Park).

UK Sport is hoping to confirm its support for a further two major events taking place in Olympic venues in 2012: the Track Cycling World Cup (Olympic Park) and the Diving World Cup (Olympic Park).

Liz Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Sport, said: “We are delivering the most comprehensive programme of major sporting events ever staged by an Olympic and Paralympic host nation, and setting a new international benchmark for future hosts.

“The fantastic calendar of events to be staged here in the UK in 2011 offers the British public a great opportunity to help give our athletes, volunteers and officials the best possible final preparation for their home Games in 2012.”

Aside from the performance benefits for British athletes and the boost to the UK’s capacity to stage major sporting events, it is estimated that for every £1 of National Lottery funding invested into these events, an average of £4.90 of additional direct economic impact is generated for the host city and region. The full events programme from 2007-2012 is therefore estimated to have generated in the region of £105 million of direct economic benefit to host cities and regions across the UK.

Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport, added:  “One of the Government’s key policy objectives has been to capture a series of key international sports events in both the run up to London 2012 and thereafter. This full and exciting programme will allow people across Britain to see the stars of London 2012 for themselves and will inspire many others to take up sport.”

Sir Craig Reedie, IOC Executive Board Member, said: “UK Sport’s World Class Events Programme has provided outstanding event hosting experience for Britain’s national governing bodies in preparation for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and will help in attracting, in legacy, more world class events to the country for years to come.
“I look forward to seeing the post-2012 programme take shape in the coming months and years.”

Sarah Springman, President of British Triathlon and Vice President of the ITU, said: “Working with UK Sport, Upsolut Sports UK and other domestic partners has been integral to the establishment of the London Hyde Park event in the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series.  We look forward to returning to Hyde Park for the third consecutive year on 6/7 August 2011.

“British Triathlon has benefited from the opportunity to build a network of home grown volunteers and national technical officials to work alongside international officials as we prepare to make the Triathlon the most memorable event in London next year. Delivery of this event has also greatly improved our capacity to stage world class events in future.”

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), said: “UK Sport will be bringing some thrilling sporting action here in the run-up to 2012. Spectators will be able to experience some of our Olympic venues in an exciting atmosphere prior to the Games and we look forward to working with UK Sport on this programme.  Some of these events will also give us an opportunity to test our operational plans for 2012.  Olympic tickets go on sale in March and we urge people to sign up and register their interest on www.tickets.london2012.com.”

UK Sport has completed detailed planning for the UK’s programme of major international sporting events from 2013-2018. This programme will receive a budget of £5 million per year and will seek to use the catalysts of London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 to establish the UK as the world’s leading host of major international sporting events. A programme of strategic hosting targets is being finalized with national governing bodies and further details will be released later this year.

Outgoing FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon has hinted that his Asian counterpart, Qatari national, Mohammad Bin Hammam will challenge FIFA president Sepp Blatter when he stands for re-election later this year.

As of yet, the Frenchman’s revelation that he will apply for re-election for the post for a record fourth term, has gone unopposed ahead of April 1 deadline for nominations.

However, Chung wrote on his Twitter account yesterday, February 9: “I had lunch with Bin Hammam, the AFC president today. It seems he will challenge the FIFA presidential election in June.”

Chung, who will be replaced by Prince Ali Bin Hussein of Jordan, added: “A FIFA president from Asia is a good thing. We all support him.”

Chung’s claims come after numerous reports suggesting that Bin Hammam would contest Blatter’s potential re-election after the Asian Football Confederation president criticised the governing body’s operations over the recent months.

Last month, Blatter, making reference to Bin Hammam’s support of Chung’s failed FIFA vice presidential re-election, told journalists to “make their own conclusions” of how much support the Qatari had if he couldn’t command his own confederation.

Bin Hammam later made a thinly-veiled reference to Blatter’s attempt to extend his presidency to 17 years, saying that FIFA needed presidential term limits to introduce “new people, new ideas, new thoughts” to push ”the organisation ahead”.

Michael Gove, abortion Education Secretary, ailment was forced to withdraw his proposal to eliminate the £162m (US$250m) UK school sports funding put in place by the previous government.

Although the u-turn does not mean that the entire funding will stay in place, case Gove promised that £47m ($72.8m) of the total would be salvaged from the partnership.

Gove also stated that a further £65m ($100m) would be released in the academic years which straddle the 2012 Olympics to ensure that there will be at least one dedicated PE teacher in place at every school.

The move was an embarrassing climbdown for the education secretary whose plans forced an intervention by David Cameron, who demanded a rethink after the coalition Government was hit by a public backlash.