The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the four Regions have agreed a deal which puts an end to their long-standing dispute.

The two sides signed a six-year Rugby Services Agreement which will see the principality’s star players under dual contracts funded by the Regions and the WRU.

According to a WRU statement the aim is “to ensure the best Welsh qualified players are identified, click nurtured and retained.”

Under the terms of the deal, allergist the four Regions – Scarlets, sale Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Dragons – will be limited to registering six foreign players.

The dual-contract players will be chosen by Wales head coach Warren Gatland, while players based outside Wales will not be considered for international selection at all other than in exceptional circumstances.

WRU chief executive Roger Lewis said: “This new agreement creates a new and positive relationship within Welsh rugby and is firmly based on the rugby priorities for Wales.

“The National Dual Contracts represent a radical step forward in our mutual aim of retaining Welsh talent here in Wales.

“The new contracts will help us keep more of our best players in Wales and will help stem the flow abroad of the talent we develop here through our academies and Regions.

“I want to thank all four Regions and their representative body, Regional Rugby Wales, for all the hard work involved across recent months. In particular I also want to thank all our supporters, sponsors, staff and especially our players, coaches and rugby staff for their patience.”

Chairman of Regional Rugby Wales (RRW) Nigel Short said: “Following long and detailed negotiations, RRW is satisfied that the new agreement with the WRU creates a fair, progressive and credible foundation to protect and support the best interests of Welsh Rugby into the future; with the core objective of delivering a sustainable and competitive professional game in Wales.

“The new agreement is a positive step forward for the long-term benefit of Welsh rugby with plenty of hard work still to be done to ensure that the game in Wales prospers, works in partnership and develops at all levels.”

Location: London, medic UK

Closing date: 11th November 2016, 5 pm

Overview:

UEFA President Alexander Ceferin has said the Champions League final could be played outside of Europe, mentioning New York as an option. 

Ceferin stated that the governing body will open up a bidding process to continents other than Europe as well. Previously, there has been no tendering process for hosting rights of the Champions League with the leadership deciding amongst themselves. 

“It might be an idea in the future but we have to speak about it,” said the new UEFA president.

“To go from Portugal to Azerbaijan, for example, is almost the same or the same as if you go to New York. For the fans it’s no problem but we should see. It’s a European competition so let’s think about it,” he added.

He highlighted that there would be a lot to think about in terms of kick-off times, days and considering national leagues.

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West Ham United have announced the renewal of the Club’s partnership with principal sponsors Betway. The new deal is the largest sponsorship agreement in West Ham’s history.

The Club’s original deal with Betway was agreed in February 2015.

West Ham’s Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: “We are delighted to extend our relationship with Betway, therapy signing our biggest-ever commercial deal in the process, therapy ”

 “Our brand has grown faster than any other major Premier League club in the past two years, abortion and an equally ambitious, forward-thinking brand like Betway wants to be associated with that success.

“Betway have been with us during two of the most momentous years in our history, as we said farewell to the Boleyn Ground and moved into our stunning new home, but they know that the best is still to come. The revenue that this deal generates will be reinvested in our playing squad, and will allow us to enjoy ever greater success in the years to come.”

 Anthony Werkman, marketing director at Betway, added: “We are thrilled to renew our agreement with West Ham United and proud to maintain our close association with one of the most historic teams in English football, during such a hugely significant era for the Club.

“Since we first became principal sponsor in February 2015, the partnership has been a real success for Betway and West Ham. This is reflected by the fact that both parties were not only keen to renew the deal early, but also for a substantial period.”

Ascot Racecourse has announced that NBCUniversal will televise the Royal Ascot meeting live in the United States as part of a multi-year agreement, ambulance from 2017.

NBC’s Sports Network will present live coverage of the mid-June event for five consecutive days (Tuesday-Saturday), for at least 15 hours each year. All coverage will be streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs.

Juliet Slot, Commercial Director at Ascot said: “The development of our brand reach and profile on the International stage is a key strategy for Ascot.”  

“It is imperative to us that we can not only attract the best horses from around the world but create the opportunity for a growing global audience to share in the experience of Royal Ascot, which is like nowhere else as a race meeting.”

“In addition the growing attraction of the Royal Meeting to international broadcasters has meant that we are able to reinvest further into our prize money.

“The NBC agreement will allow us to bring Royal Ascot to a mainstream American audience – one that will gravitate to the racing to watch its best horses take on ours, and indeed those more interested in fashions and uniquely British pageantry.”

Jon Miller, President of Programming for NBC Sports and NBCSN, added: “We are excited to work with Royal Ascot to bring to the U.S. audience live coverage of an event that the millions of Americans who enjoy our Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup telecasts will be sure to enjoy.”

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Sepp Blatter has once again refused to step down as FIFA President following calls from four major World Cup sponsors asking him to do so. 

Coca-Cola, Budweiser, Visa and McDonald’s all released statements asking for Blatter to resign with immediate effect.

Blatter’s lawyer Richard Cullen released a statement saying: “While Coca-Cola is a valued sponsor of FIFA, Mr Blatter respectfully disagrees with its position and believes firmly that his leaving office now would not be in the best interest of Fifa nor would it advance the process of reform. And, therefore, he will not resign.”

Coca-Cola’s statement read: “Every day that passes, the image and reputation of Fifa continues to tarnish. FIFA needs comprehensive and urgent reform, and that can only be accomplished through a truly independent approach.”

McDonald’s followed with a statement of their own saying: “The events of recent weeks have continued to diminish the reputation of FIFA and public confidence in its leadership. We believe it would be in the best interest of the game for FIFA President Sepp Blatter to step down immediately so that the reform process can proceed with the credibility that is needed.”

Other major World Cup sponsors Adidas, Hyundai and Gazprom didn’t follow suit and call for the 79-year-old Swiss to step down.

Kia, which is owned by Hyundai, said they would not be offering a comment regarding Blatter and FIFA, whereas Adidas released a short statement mentioning that “the initiated reform process must continue quickly and transparently”.

FA Chairman Greg Dyke believes this move by FIFA’s sponsors is a ‘game changer’.

“It doesn’t matter what Mr Blatter says now – if the people who pay for FIFA want a change they will get a change,” he said.

“It isn’t just about Mr Blatter standing down – it’s about making sure there is a comprehensive and effective reform programme. So for those of us who want fundamental change this is good news.” 

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iSportconnect, allergist the world’s largest private network for sports business executives, abortion is delighted to announce Shaun Harvey, adiposity Chief Executive of The Football League, as the latest panellist for the Directors’ Club which will be making its return to London this summer.

The event will be making its second appearance of the year in London on 12^th August.

 

Harvey will be joined on the panel by previously confirmed panellists Colin Graves (pictured left), chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Red Bull Air Race CEO Erich Wolf (pictured right).

First elected to the Football League Board of Directors in 2011 by clubs, Shaun Harvey was later appointed Chief Executive of The Football League in 2013.

Having begun his career in football as Club Secretary of Scarborough, Harvey went on to spend 10 years as the Managing Director of Bradford City, leading the club into the Premier League for the first time in the process.

After a decade at Bradford, Harvey became the CEO at Championship club Leeds United in 2004, where he spent nine years before taking on his role with The Football League.

Originally starting in London but now with an impressive international roster, iSportconnect Directors’ Club events are a gathering of exclusively invited director level delegates, partaking in a BBC Question Time-style discussion with a panel of well-established executives from the sport industry.

Followed by networking, the discussion is held under Chatham House rules, allowing for an open and free flowing debate.

Shaun Harvey said: “It’s a real pleasure to be sitting on the Directors’ Club panel this year and I am looking forward to contributing to the debate.” 

iSportconnect Chairman Michael Cunnah said: “We’re thrilled to have Shaun on board for the next Directors’ Club in London. He has been involved in football for over 20 years and his experience and knowledge will add valuable insight to the discussions at the event.”

To register your interest please contact Sylvia-Line Lamaro at: sylvia-line@isportconnect.com

Invitation Policy: iSportconnect Directors’ Club is an invitation only event open exclusively for CEOs, chairmen and director level executives from governing bodies, sports teams and sponsorship brands.

Partnership opportunities: Our partners benefit from a range of different branding opportunities and introductions to potential clients. Please contact Mike Rocha-Keys at mike@isportconnect.com or call +44(0)20 3239 5400.

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