German Football Head Niersbach Resigns Amid FIFA Payment Controversy

By Christian Radnedge

German football federation president Wolfgang Niersbach has resigned amid in the wake of allegations surrounding an alleged payment made to FIFA in relation to the 2006 World Cup.

Niersbach, ed an executive committee member of both world and European governing bodies FIFA and UEFA, was due to face regional and national associates today to address the mysterious €6.7m loan and repayment.

The controversy was revealed in a German newspaper, as part of the ongoing FIFA scandal. The paper reports the German World Cup organising committee paid the sum to FIFA, apparently declared internally as a subsidy for an opening gala which never took place.

The late Robert Louis-Dreyfus, the former head of adidas, allegedly made funds available to the bidding committee, of which Franz Beckenbauer was the head, in 2000.

The report suggests the money was forwarded by FIFA, at the Germans’ request, to repay the private loan from Louis-Dreyfus.

Niersbach had claimed that FIFA had told Beckenbauer the payment was necessary to generate a hosting costs grant of €170m in return. This has been denied by FIFA.

In a resignation letter posted on the DFB website, Niersbach denied having any involvement in the payments, but said he was standing down to protect the federation.

Barclays & Heineken to Reveal Sponsorship Secrets at Soccerex

Two of the biggest brands in football, Barclays and Heineken, will be giving an in depth insight into their sports sponsorship strategy at this year’s Soccerex Global Convention, 7-9 September, taking place at the Manchester Central Convention Complex.

Barclays have been established sponsors of the Premier League since 2001 when they first used the sponsorship to promote their Barclaycard brand.

Since then the Premier League has become a global power house where it is today broadcasted to 212 territories around the world resulting in Barclays gaining huge worldwide exposure.

Nathan Homer, Head of Global Sponsorship and Partnerships at Barclays will be opening up to the industry about how the Premier League has taken the Barclays brand to new markets through sponsorship and discussing the bank’s plans after the Premier League deal expires at the end of the 2015/16 season.

Heineken have been sponsoring the UEFA Champions League since 2005 bringing its sponsorship to over 220 countries worldwide.

The UEFA Champions League is now the most watched annual sporting event, with a total audience estimated at 4.2 billion.

This huge global audience has allowed Heineken to boost its brand presence in higher growth emerging markets, with expansion into Mexico in 2010 and in Asia in 2013, Heineken is now available in over 170 countries across the globe.

Tim Ellerton, Global Sponsorship Manager at Heineken will be addressing Heineken’s long standing sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League.

These two speakers will provide the opportunity to gain a greater insight into how to use sponsorship to promote your brand in the football industry.

With sponsorship being such a fundamental aspect in the world of football it is vital that stakeholders understand the key concepts to sponsorship strategy.

This is why Soccerex have partnered up with the European Sponsorship Association to ensure the attendance of multiple senior figures from the European Sponsorship Industry at the Convention, as well hosting a series of commercial workshops alongside a dedicated brands and rightsholder breakfast.

Soccerex CEO, Duncan Revie, said: “It is fantastic to have two of the biggest brands in the world of football so actively involved in our Global Convention in September.

Their insight to the modern sponsorship market will be invaluable to all delegates looking to gain a greater understanding of how brands and rights holders interact. If you are interested in sponsorship in football then these are the two people you need to meet”.

Barclays and Heineken are just part of a market leading conference programme at the Soccerex Global Convention addressing the key commercial aspects of football.

Barclays and Heineken will join an impressive and diverse list of expert speakers that already include the likes of Davor Suker, Croatia Football Federation President and UEFA Executive Committee member, Don Garber, MLS Commissioner, Ian Ritchie, Rugby Football Union CEO, Dave Kaval, San Jose Earthquakes President, Martin Glenn, FA CEO and Javier Tebas, LaLiga President.

The Soccerex Global Convention brings together over 3000 of football’s elite over three days of a thought provoking conference programme packed with business insight, alongside a market-leading international exhibition and extensive networking. A programme of social events completes the schedule for what is widely acknowledged as the world’s leading football business event.

For further information about this event please call +44 (0)208 987 5522 or visit www.soccerex.com/global

ISAF Open Bidding Process for 2018 Youth Sailing World Championship

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has opened the bidding process for the 2018 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship, ailment the federation’s longest running event.

The tournament has been held every year since the inaugural championship in Sweden in 1971, canada buy and now ISAF have invited Member National Authorities to bid for the 2018 event.

The deadline for bids is 1 October 2014, anesthetist with bids being reviewed by the Youth World Championship Sub-Committee during its meeting on 2 November 2014 at the ISAF Annual Conference in Palma de Mallorca.

The 44th edition will take place from 12-19 July in Tavira, Portugal before the flag is handed over the hosts of the 2015 ISAF Youth Worlds, Langkawi, Malaysia.

Al Musannah Sports City, Oman will host the 2016 ISAF Youth Worlds before it heads to Akko, Israel in 2017.

IOC President Bach Offers Africa Olympic Games Hope

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has said Africa will have a greater chance of hosting the Olympic Games if changes to the bidding process are implemented.

Bach made the claim during a visit to Kenya after the second African Youth Games in Gaborone, shop Botswana.

Speaking to Reuters, apoplectic Bach said: “Africa has produced excellent athletes and yet has not staged the Olympic Games.

“We would be happy to see a feasible bid from the continent.

“As you know, since my election as IOC President, we are already discussing changes to bidding procedure under the framework of Olympic Agenda 2020 where we want to open doors to more cities and more countries to bid to organise the Games.”

Bach was visiting the city of Eldoret to see Honorary IOC member Kipchoge Keino, a two-time Olympic gold medallist.

The German opened a classroom and multipurpose hall at Keino’s institution and added: “We take this school as a serious project and I will return here hopefully soon to see how far the progress has gone.

“It is a shining example of how sport can be used to develop the youth as an educational facility started by one of the greatest stars of the Olympics Movement.”

Keino, who is the Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya added: “The IOC has been the main funder for this school and we shall strive to develop our youth through sports and education. 

“It has been a long journey but we hope that this will become one of the best examples of the spirit of Olympism by developing future heroes.”

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iSportconnect Directors’ Club Goes Global with Three New Locations

– Directors’ Club to be staged in Paris on December 12th, Moscow on January 16 and a pre-Super Bowl event in New York on January 29

– Paris event at Paris Saint-Germain’s Parc des Princes with Frédéric Longuépée, Pascal Grizot and Florence Njamfa

iSportconnect, the world’s largest private network for sports business executives, together with Havas Sports & Entertainment, have today announced three more dates and locations for upcoming iSportconnect Directors Club events. 

The next in this series of exclusive events which bring together influential sports industry leaders for discussion and debate will be in London on November 27th. Thereafter the events will come to Paris for the first time on December 12th at the home of French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, the historic Parc des Princes, followed by inaugural events in Moscow and New York City in January.

The Directors Club in Paris will feature a panel of high-profile speakers including Frédéric Longuépée, Deputy Director General in charge of Commercial Affairs at Paris Saint-Germain Football Club; Pascal Grizot, President of the Ryder Cup 2018 Organizing Committee; and Florence Njamfa, Global Brand Identity, Advertising & Sponsorship Director at Orange.

The Directors Club will then be launched in Moscow on January 16th at the offices of PwC followed by a pre-Super Bowl event on January 29th in New York City.

iSportconnect Directors’ Clubs are exclusive events where a specially invited audience can offer questions to speakers through a ‘Question Time’ style panel, followed by networking. These three events are the first in a series of global events organized in partnership with Havas Sports & Entertainment to expand the Directors Club events around the world.”

Commenting on the Paris event’s announcement, Olivier Denis-Massé, COO of Havas Sports & Entertainment France said, “We are delighted to partner with iSportconnect to take the Directors Club event and its unique discussion format to the French sport business community and kick it all off at the historic Parc des Princes stadium. The participation of Frédéric Longuépée, Pascal Grizot and Florence Njamfa attests to the quality of the panel and will ensure a lively discussion.”

iSportconnect chairman Michael Cunnah added: “The Directors Club events have been very successful in London therefore we are very excited to take this event to these very important sporting cities.”

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

To register interest, please email: matthias.moulin@isportconnect.com

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KPMG Sign Multi Year Partnership with Rugby Players’ Association

The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) has signed a four year partnership deal with KPMG, ambulance who will provide them and their members with tax advice.

KPMG provide services to their clients including audit, tax and advisory and the firm will now provide this service to the RPA, who represent professional rugby players in England.

Roger Gadd, Private Client Director at KPMG said: “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work with the RPA and its members.

“The next few years have the potential to be very exciting for English Rugby and KPMG are pleased to have extended their relationship with the RPA to cover the period running up to the Rugby World Cup in 2015”.

Nick Byrom, Commercial Director of the RPA, added: “As the independent representative body of rugby union players in England, we consistently look to work with partners that can provide a valuable service to our members and KPMG clearly meets these objectives.

“Through its four-year partnership with the RPA, KPMG is engaged with rugby union in one of its most exciting phases in recent history, and have committed to support the players through the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the Olympics and beyond. We are very pleased to have them on board.”

Maracana Stadium to be ‘privatised’ ahead of Brazil 2014 World Cup

Brazil’s infamous football stadium, sick the Maracana, has been offered to a consortium of private companies who would gain the rights to manage the stadium for the next 35 years.

The authorities in Rio de Janeiro made the move despite campaigners protesting against the ‘privatisation’ of the stadium after three years of renovations.

Protestors gathered outside the Rio governor’s palace on Thursday to express their discontent at taking away the Maracana from public hands.

Rio governor Sergio Cabral said the bidding process “has been approved by the legal authorities” and was “perfectly legal”.

Among the winning bidders is Eike Batista, Brazils’ richest man and his company IMX, along with Odebrecht and AEG.

Brazilian building company OAS, French company Lagarde and Stadion Amsterdam made up the defeated bid, who said they would contest the decision.

The stadium will be used for the final of Brazil 2014 and the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics.

It has been under construction since Brazil won the rights to host the 2014 World Cup, with the seating capacity reducing down to 78,000.

Chair – UK Anti-Doping

Location: London, pills UK
 
Closing Date: 16th September
Background
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is looking for an exceptional person to appoint as the Chair of UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) on the retirement of the present Chair, David Kenworthy.
The UKAD board has a membership of seven, made up of one Chair and six board members appointed on a skills basis. The Chair and members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
UKAD is the national organisation dedicated to protecting a culture of clean sport. The organisation raises awareness of the issues associated with doping through its extensive education and smart testing programme. It also helps athletes to understand and follow the rules, and prosecute offenders. UKAD is working for everyone who loves sport – whether competing, training or spectating. It aims to create an environment where all athletes know they can compete in the true spirit of sport.
The Role
– Responsibilities for the Chair will include:
  • – Providing leadership to the Board in its responsibilities towards delivery of an effective UK anti-doping programme, including the process of strategy development and good governance.
  • – Acting as a positive and powerful advocate for the work of UKAD, including ensuring effective communication with key partners and stakeholders (including government, Governing Bodies of Sport and law enforcement agencies) both in the UK and internationally.
  • – Engaging with Governing Bodies of Sport to maintain co-operative relationships and with law enforcement and other agencies related to the sharing of information and intelligence.
  • – Chairing Board meetings, and attending Board committees as appropriate.
  • – Exercising accountability to government and key partners, and ensure the delivery of the objectives and targets shown in its Management Agreement with DCMS.
  • – Providing advice, counsel and support for the Executive on matters of advocacy, policy and strategy. Ensuring effective succession planning.
The Person
The Chair will lead UKAD at a time when protecting clean sport becomes more challenging. They will have a passion for success and be committed to leading UKAD to further successes. They will also be committed to excellence and quality, with a strong record in delivery. The Chair will also demonstrate credibility and confidence in establishing effective and influential working relationships with sport, law enforcement and government stakeholders.
Reductions in public spending will require the Board to focus on efficiencies, value for money and opportunities to increase profitable earned income.
Essential Criteria
The successful candidate will have a strong track record of strategic leadership in one or more of these fields:
  • – Sport
  • – Law enforcement
  • – Government
Candidates should also be able to demonstrate the following skills and aptitudes:

  • – Be able to win the respect of, negotiate with, and influence senior members of the government, sports and law enforcement agencies, along with other key stakeholders.
  • – Have strong interpersonal skills. Be able to occupy a high profile post and demonstrate a track record of leading and motivating people, and building effective teams.
  • – Possess excellent communication and representational skills, and be able to demonstrate strategic planning and thinking, creativity and political awareness.
  • – Have a strong grasp of the principles of public sector propriety, regularity and accountability, and experience of business, financial and resource management.
  • How to Apply
  • Click to apply HERE

Swissquote extend United deal

Manchester United’s Official Forex & Online Financial Trading Partner Swissquote (SIX:SQN) is extending its global partnership with the club.

The partnership has proved so successful since it was announced in January last year that the club’s first Official Global Forex and Online Financial Trading Partner has not only extended the duration of its multi-year agreement, but also expanded its rights.

Read more HERE.

OTE Secures Premier League Rights Extension in Greece

Greek telecommunications company OTE has been awarded the exclusive Premier League TV rights in Greece for an extended three years. 

The deal will begin with the 2016/17 season and run until the 2018/2019 season.

Premier League Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore stated: “OTE TV currently does an excellent job broadcasting the Premier League to our fans in Greece.

“We are very pleased they have again chosen to invest in our broadcasting rights and look forward to working with them in the coming seasons.”