Infront Sports & Media has sealed media rights agreements in eight additional territories for broadcast coverage of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

The agreement sees their coverage extending the reach of the games across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The territories include Nigeria, Kenya, Angola, Mozambique, Congo and Cote d’Ivoire with Infront’s rights distribution effort operating as exclusive media rights partner to the International Olympic Committee across 43 countries and territories in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

All agreements comprise the extensive rights for free-to-air transmissions of live and delayed coverage across all platforms – terrestrial, satellite and cable TV, as well as (non-exclusive) internet and mobile.

Coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies is ensured, along with at least six hours daily programming from the competitions.

Stephan Herth, Executive Director Summer Sports of Infront, said: “These new agreements cover the most populated countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and are an important pillar in our media rights distribution strategy to increase exposure for Rio 2016 on the continent.

“Together with the IOC, we are well on our way to boosting the globally integrative character of the Olympic movement and we look forward to concluding more agreements in the near future.”

The Football Association (FA) has officially withdrawn its support for UEFA president Michel Platini to become the next president of FIFA. 

Platini has been suspended for 90 days by the FIFA Ethics Committee, along with Sepp Blatter, after receiving a £1.3 million payment from the FIFA president in 2011 and is currently under criminal investigation

The FA has issued a statement explaining that it has received additional information about the case involving Platini at the UEFA meeting in Nyon on Thursday and has decided to suspend its support of the Frenchman as a result.

The statement said: “The FA learnt more information relating to the issues at the centre of this case from Mr Platini’s lawyers.

“We have been instructed that the information must be kept confidential and therefore we cannot go into specifics.

“As a result of learning this information, The FA Board has on Friday morning concluded that it must suspend its support for Mr Platini’s candidature for the FIFA Presidency until the legal process has been concluded and the position is clear.

“A decision can then be taken on who to support in the Presidential election on 26 February 2016.”

The news will come as a further blow to Platini who is the process of appealing his suspension as he continues to deny any wrongdoing. 

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iSportconnect, the world’s largest global private network of sports business executives, is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with subscription billing payment provider Vindicia.

The deal sees Vindicia become the Official OTT Partner of iSportconnect.

This is the second partnership announcement in the past week by iSportconnect, impotent following the agreement with WePlay as it continues to grow its partnership portfolio.

Vindicia brings enterprise-class innovation to consumer-facing subscription billing to help sports companies acquire and retain more customers by making payments seamless, secure, and easy.

Vindicia keeps customers connected to the subscriptions they love, and companies connected to the revenues they need. Vindicia has processed more than $21 billion globally and generates over $90 million in annual incremental revenue for clients including large sports brands.

iSportconnect Founder and CEO Sree Varma said: “We are thrilled to welcome Vindicia to our growing family of partners. We look forward to helping their growth within the sports business industry and tap into the numerous opportunities this sector provides.”

Adrian Jenkins, Vice President, Europe, Vindicia added: “These are exciting times, as sports organisations build more loyal audiences through compelling online offerings. The growth of these markets reflect the importance of fostering long-term fan relationships. iSportconnect is recognised as the largest network of sports business executives, and we look forward to contributing to the community.”

Peter Cooke, Sales Director, Europe, Vindicia commented: “At Vindicia we are proud to help global sports brands grow their subscription revenues. We are delighted to partner with iSportconnect and look forward to sharing viewpoints on how technology can help sports businesses tap into new revenue streams.”

About Vindicia

Vindicia brings enterprise-class innovation to consumer-facing subscription billing to help sports companies acquire and retain more customers by making payments seamless, secure, and easy. Vindicia keeps customers connected to the subscriptions they love, and companies connected to the revenues they need.

Vindicia has processed more than $21 billion globally and generates over $90 million in annual incremental revenue for clients including large sports brands.

Vindicia CashBox provides the ideal marketing, CRM and billing solution for online sports sites by allowing for flexible billing plans, payment options, and promotions that will maximise revenue and customer lifetime value across the globe. An online sports franchise can support nearly any business model that will make it successful – subscriptions, freemium, one-time payments and usage- based, to name just a few.

The powerful dashboard and reporting capabilities inside of CashBox can also help you understand which customer segments are generating the most revenues in order to effectively focus your marketing efforts.

Hangzhou in China has been named the host city for the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships and the FINA World Aquatics Convention.

It beat off competition from two other candidates, asthma Lima, (Peru) and UAE, for the 14th edition of these Championships.

“The city of Hangzhou will offer optimal conditions for the organisation of these Championships. There is a very strong commitment from the local authorities to have this event in this dynamic metropolis”, said FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione.

China is an important partner of FINA and we are always happy to return to this beautiful country.”

Acting as Ambassador for the successful bid, Chinese star Xuejuan Luo, a 2004 Olympic gold medallist in the 100m breaststroke, said: “This is a dream that come true. My hometown is Hangzhou and I always hoped that one day we could be able to organise a world championships in the most beautiful city in China. 

“The Mayor of Hangzhou was also here to support our bid, and we can assure that the best swimmers in the world will be able to complete in superb venues.”

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has been handed a boost after they received planning permission for the new Warner Stand at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The new structure was designed by iSportconnect’s Official Stadia Partner, allergist Populous, doctor the architects behind three Olympic Stadiums.

This marks the first major phase of development in the fifteen-year Masterplan for Lord’s, ampoule which was unveiled in May 2013.

According to an official release, the Warner Stand will dramatically improve sightlines, improve circulation, and provide a new state-of-the-art match control and match officials’ facility.

MCC Chief Executive & Secretary, Derek Brewer, said: “I am delighted that Westminster City Council has granted planning permission for what will be a wonderful new addition to Lord’s. MCC wants Lord’s to be the world’s finest cricket ground, and this new stand combines the best in architecture with world-class facilities to help achieve that.

“Many months of work by an excellent team has developed plans for a stand which will grace Lord’s for many years to come.”

Philip Johnson, Principal at Populous, added: “Populous is very proud to be working with MCC on the development of the ‘Home of Cricket’. The new Warner Stand has been designed to provide excellent views of the action, a state-of-the-art Match Control facility, a number of bars, and a superb restaurant overlooking the Ground.

“The translucent roof canopy will be constructed from insulated tensile fabric, supported on cantilevering American White Oak glulam beams, providing a high degree of natural light to the upper tier of seating and the restaurant beneath. It will be the first phase of the Masterplan we unveiled last year.”

Subject to the approval of MCC Members next summer, the two-phase construction of the stand is due to begin at the end of the 2015 season, in order to ensure there is still a fully operational stand in place for next season’s Australia Test.