Mohamed Bin Hammam, the former Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president has been buoyed by the news his lifetime FIFA ban was rescinded by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

Bin Hammam was handed a lifetime ban by FIFA’s ethics committee last year after being found guilty of paying cash gifts totalling close to $1 million to CONCACAF officials during his campaign to be elected the president of world football’s governing body in 2011.

The Qatari withdrew his candidacy days before the election, paving the way for incumbent Sepp Blatter to continue unopposed for another four-year term.

However, the subsequent lifetime ban Bin Hammam received has now been overturned by CAS, after the court ruled that his appeal could be upheld because of a lack of evidence.

CAS did not, though, claim that he was innocent and FIFA is still free to bring fresh proceedings against him if new evidence is found. Bin Hammam will now likely turn his attention to a suspension imposed by the AFC earlier this week following a forensic audit of the governing body’s accounts.

A FIFA statement swiftly condemned the CAS decision, saying: “FIFA has noted with concern the decision announced today by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the Mohamed Bin Hammam case.

“FIFA notes that the CAS verdict indicates that Mohamed Bin Hammam has not been proven innocent and that ‘it is more likely than not that the Appellant (Mohamed Bin Hammam) was at the source of the monies that were brought into Trinidad and Tobago and eventually distributed at the meeting’ (of the Caribbean Football Union on 10 and 11 May 2011).

“…Moreover, FIFA has taken note of the decision by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) earlier this week to open a disciplinary case against Mohamed Bin Hammam and to provisionally suspend him from taking part in any football activity for another matter. The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee extended this provisional suspension to worldwide level yesterday, 18 July 2012. Therefore, Mohamed Bin Hammam remains suspended until the current case has been concluded.”

Eugene Gulland, speaking on behalf of Bin Hammam’s legal team at Covington & Burling LLP, said: “We are delighted with the decision issued by the Court of Arbitration, rejecting all of FIFA’s unfounded allegations of wrongdoing against Mr Bin Hammam, allowing his appeal and quashing FIFA’s unjust life ban.

“Throughout this lengthy process Mr Bin Hammam has maintained his innocence and remained confident that he would be vindicated once the case was brought before an independent, third party body. Mr Bin Hammam will now carefully consider his options before making further comment.”

Ruffneck Scarves, allergy officially licensed scarf provider to Major League Soccer, is once again producing scarves for the Seattle Sounders FC season ticket holders ina new licensing agreement.

This marks the fourth year in a row that Seattle’s record-setting fans have received Ruffneck custom scarves with their season tickets. Sounders FC has established MLS attendance records in each of the club’s three seasons, averaging 38,496 in 2011.

Sounders FC hosts Toronto FC in the 2012 opener for both clubs in March 17 on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. First kick is 7 p.m. PT.

“Scarves and passionate fan support have become synonymous with Sounders FC stadium atmosphere ,” said Ruffneck Scarves president Jeff McIntyre. “Our relationship with MLS began with those thousands of scarves for the Sounders’ inaugural season ticket holders in 2009, and like everyone else we still get chills when the scarves are raised for the team’s entrance and you see that wall of rave green throughout the stadium.”

by Ismail Uddin

The creditors’ committee in the Dodgers’ bankruptcy proceedings said in court filing Wednesday that the LA Dodgers should be allowed to market their television rights as they sell the team.

The position further isolates Fox Sports as it fights to preserve a contract that guarantees the company exclusive negotiating rights with the Dodgers for another year. Fox and the Dodgers are set to start mediation on Monday.

When owner Frank McCourt initially proposed an early auction of the Dodgers’ television rights  to raise the money needed to preserve his ownership of the team he was opposed by his ex-wife, the creditors, Major League Baseball and Fox. Now that McCourt has agreed to sell the Dodgers, he has neutralized all of those parties save Fox.

In Wednesday’s filing, the creditors said they previously opposed a sale of the Dodgers’ television rights because MLB had threatened to veto any such sale and because Fox had threatened damages so “massive” as to put the repayment of creditors at risk. The creditors said they now support such a sale because MLB no longer objects and because the Dodgers have asked the court to determine potential damages. If the damages were deemed too great, the team could halt the sale.

The creditors also said they believe any damages Fox might suffer “should be neglible at best.” They backed the Dodgers’ position by saying that the value of the team might be enhanced “by demonstrating to potential purchasers … the true value of the telecast rights after subjecting such rights to a competitive marketing process.”

Under the current Fox contract, the Dodgers cannot negotiate with any other media outlets until Nov. 30, 2012. The Dodgers have asked the court to declare that provision unenforceable.

Wembley Stadium has been announced as a host of the brand new Vitality North London Half Marathon.

The iconic home of English football is the second sporting venue to be added to the much anticipated half marathon race route. Runners of the event, taking place on Sunday 15th March 2015, will not only start and finish at Allianz Park, home of the mighty Saracens Rugby Club, but also run through Wembley Stadium on route, promising a unique “stadium to stadium” sporting experience. 

Jamie Warren, Head of Marketing and Commercial at GO2, said: “This is set to be a real stand out half marathon in the running calendar, designed with race experience in mind. The integration of both stadiums is particularly special, and will allow runners to experience two of the areas most loved sporting venues from a very unique perspective. 

“From start to finish, you are guaranteed some sights and experiences to keep you motivated throughout the course. Taking place exactly six weeks before the London Marathon, we also anticipate that many full marathon runners in training will take the opportunity to use the Vitality North London Half Marathon to enjoy a different side of London in preparation for the popular April event.” 

Jim Frayling, Head of Business Development at Wembley Stadium, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the Vitality North London Half Marathon at Wembley Stadium. We’re all about great events that inspire memories and we hope this is a memorable event for all the participants. 

“We share an extremely strong and fruitful relationship with Saracens and to be able to work with them on a completely new event, while using GO2’s expertise in running events, is a fantastic opportunity for us all.” 

European Senior Tour finale, sale the MCB Tour Championship, ambulance will remain at Constance Belle Plage in Mauritius until at least 2017 following a new three year agreement between the Senior Tour, healing the host venue and title sponsor Mauritius Commercial Bank.

The extension to the existing four year term means the winner of the John Jacobs Trophy will now be confirmed in Mauritius for the next four seasons, taking the Senior Tour up to the end of its 26th campaign.

This year’s MCB Tour Championship takes place over the Legend Course at Constance Belle Mare Plage from December 12-14, when Paul Wesselingh will defend his title.

Raoul Gufflet, Head – International at Mauritius Commercial Bank, said: “The MCB Group is very proud of its association with the European Senior Tour and is honoured to have golf legends ending their season on the fairways of Constance Belle Mare Plage amidst the beautiful scenery of Mauritius.

“The MCB Group has been, throughout its history, an important supporter of all sports at all levels. It was only natural that it got involved with golf when it became increasingly popular in the strategic development of the tourism offer of the Mauritian hospitality groups.

“The association with the European Senior Tour and Constance Group allows the MCB Group to showcase a sport that preserves a friendly cachet while being professionally competitive. The participation of some of golf’s biggest names over the past four years is a testimony to the success of this event which is also increasingly sought after by amateur golfers from all around the world.”

Jean-Jacques Vallet, CEO of Constance Hotels and Resorts, said: “We are very honoured and proud that the renewal of a three-year agreement has been signed once again with the European Senior Tour, and we look forward to welcoming the John Jacobs Trophy to Constance Belle Mare Plage each December through to 2017.

“We are also thrilled that our main partner, The Mauritius Commercial Bank, is backing us in this commitment.  Year on year, we have seen this competition grow, with a high calibre of players including Tom Lehman, Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance, David Frost and some good suspense right up until the last day.  Our promise is not only to continue raising the level of the quality of Constance Hotels and Resorts’ golf courses and accommodation, but also to do our best to be the perfect Ambassador of golf and inevitably boost the country’s image as a premier golf destination.”

Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “The idyllic island setting of Mauritius is the perfect place for the Senior Tour to bring our season to a close, and the hospitality shown to us by the Constance Group, at their hotels the Prince Maurice and Belle Mare Plage, has ensured the strongest possible fields over the past three years.

“The Legend Course is a great examination for the leading Senior Tour players and has ensured that the contest for the John Jacobs Trophy comes to a fitting finale.

“We are delighted to announce this three year extension and would like to thank the board of the Mauritius Commercial Bank for their long term commitment to this important event on our schedule, as well as the Constance Group for providing such a wonderful backdrop for us to conclude our season.”

The MCB Tour Championship succeeded the Mauritius Commercial Bank Open, won by Englishman Kevin Spurgeon in the 2010 season and South African Frost the following term, which itself evolved from the Mauritius Open which was played at Constance Belle Mare Plage from 1994 to 2008.

NBA franchise Memphis Grizzlies has announced NBA Development League team Iowa Energy will be their official affiliate for the 2014-15 season. 

The Grizzlies become the 14th team to have a one-to-one relationship with its NBA D-League affiliate for the 2014-15 season.

Memphis will be the only NBA team affiliated with the Energy and will have full control over the team’s basketball operations.  This partnership, also referred to as the “hybrid affiliation,” will see the Grizzlies pay for and control Iowa’s basketball operations, while Energy ownership, including Jed Kaplan and Energy Basketball, LLC, will maintain primary responsibility for the team’s business operations and community initiatives.  To further align the teams, the Energy has adopted Memphis’ Beale Street Blue and Gold color scheme and has revamped their logo to visually represent the partnership with the Grizzlies. 

“We are excited at the opportunity for our basketball operations to partner with an NBA Development League team and believe this to be an important milestone for our franchise,” Memphis Grizzlies Owner Robert Pera said. “This affiliation will further strengthen our ability to develop potential NBA talent and staff as we continue to build upon our positive culture and winning foundation here in Memphis.”

“The investment by Jed Kaplan and the Memphis Grizzlies in the Iowa Energy is yet another exciting step forward for the NBA D-League,” NBA D-League President Dan Reed said. “The Grizzlies continue to demonstrate their commitment to basketball innovation and development with this new partnership, joining an ever-growing number of NBA teams who have obtained a ‘one-to-one’ affiliation with an NBA D-League team.”

The Energy, which joined the NBA D-League prior today the 2007-08 season, plays its home games at the Wells Fargo Center in Des Moines, part of the Iowa Events Center.  The team captured the 2011 NBA D-League Championship in front of a record 14,036 fans, while helping 10 total players make the jump from the Energy to the NBA, including current NBA players Diante Garrett (Utah Jazz), Othyus Jeffers (Minnesota Timberwolves), Cartier Martin (Atlanta Hawks), Anthony Tolliver (Charlotte Bobcats) and Jarvis Varnado (Philadelphia 76ers).

“The synergy created through the hybrid agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies will prove extremely beneficial to both organizations. We look forward to continued success, community involvement and treating the fans to Memphis’ brand of basketball on our way to multiple championships in Des Moines,” Iowa Energy Managing Partner Jed Kaplan said.