Clubs Threaten Legal Action Against The Football League Over FFP

The Football League could be facing legal action from its own clubs over Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules according to a report in The Guardian.

The rules are aimed to stop massive financial losses, asthma but some clubs have written to the Football League’s CEO Shaun Harvey warning of legal action if changes are not made.

A report in The Guardian names Leicester, Blackburn Rovers and QPR as three of the clubs to be considering action.

The Guardian claim to have seen a letter that read: “It is likely that unless the FFP rules are modified, the Football League should expect a challenge from any number of clubs and/or players or agents suffering sanctions or the consequences of sanctions.”

FFP rules in the Football League stipulate that losses this season must be reduced to £8m ($13.3m) or sanctions such as a transfer embargo could be implemented.

Leicester City’s latest accounts showed the club lost £30m ($50m), QPR lost £23m ($38.3m) in 2012 and Blackburn lost £37m ($61.6m) in 2013. Sources say these clubs have objected to the rule.

All three clubs, and Wolverhampton Wanderers in League One are represented by Manchester-based law firm Brabners.

The latest accounts for Wolves showed they had made £2m ($3.3m) profit, but in that time the club has suffered back-to-back relegations and now find themselves with one of the highest wage bills in League One.

Harvey responded by writing to all Football League clubs promising to maintain the FFP rules: “The League has received a letter from Brabners solicitors on behalf of several unnamed Championship (and one League One) clubs which raises a number of issues including the potential of a legal challenge.

“We are comfortable that the rules were incorporated properly and that this is an attempt by a few clubs to impose their views on the majority, who approved their implementation. A position we will vigorously defend if required.”

Bubka, McQuaid and Wu Join ASOIF Council

Sergey Bubka (Ukraine) , Pat McQuaid (Ireland) and C. K. Wu (Taiwan) have been named on the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) Council.

Bubka and McQuaid were seeking re-election to the seven-member Council for a second four-year term. A third position was vacant as Sweden’s Göran Petersson had to step down after serving the maximum two four-year terms, leaving Wu and Dr. h.c. Klaus Schormann (Germany) to stand for the position.

All 28 International Sport Federations were presented with a slip with the names of the four candidates and asked to select three of them in a secret ballot.

International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) vice-president Bubka and International Boxing Association (AIBA) President Wu both received a majority share of the vote and claimed their plane on the Council. Bubka received 28 votes and Wu received 26.

International Cycling Union (UCI) President McQuaid and International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) President Schormann both finished with 15 votes. A second secret ballot was held, which resulted in McQuaid beating Schormann by 16 votes to 12.

 

Australia Captain Confident of NRL CBA Deal

Australian rugby captain Cameron Smith has announced his belief that the National Rugby League (NRL) players are close to accepting the Collective Bargaining Agreement, medstore despite saying the offer would be rejected just hours earlier.

Smith told Sky Sports radio that the offer made by the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC)“is going to be knocked back.”

He was much more positive at the official All Stars team photo-shoot a few hours later, following talks with David Garnsey, Rugby League Players’ Association CEO.

He said: “I obviously spoke on radio this morning about that. Since then I have had a chat with David Garnsey and he has given me an update and we are a lot closer to agreeing.”

“My comments were based on discussions we had around just before the break. I had not had the chance to speak to David or anyone from the RLPA (before the radio interview) but he has informed me that we are a lot closer to a deal. There are some points we are working through and hopefully we can get that done as soon as possible.”

The ARLC have offered to increase the NRL salary cap from $4.5 million to $6 million, steadily rising to over $7 million by 2017. They also propose to increase the marquee player allowance from $310,000 to $570,000.

AUTO BILD MOTORSPORT und SPORT BILD sind Medienpartner des 24-Stunden-Rennens auf dem Nürburgring

Für die Saison 2012 und 2013 sind AUTO BILD MOTORSPORT, Europas größtes Motorsportmagazin, und SPORT BILD, Europas größte Sportzeitschrift, die offiziellen Medienpartner des 24-Stunden-Rennens auf dem Nürburgring, dem größten Motorsportevent in Deutschland.

“Die neue Partnerschaft unterstreicht unser Bestreben, die Leser noch intensiver über Motorsport und insbesondere über das 40. Jubiläum des ‘ADAC Zurich 24h-Rennen’ zu informieren”, sagt Olaf Schilling, Chefredakteur AUTO BILD MOTORSPORT und verantwortlich für den Motorsport-Inhalt in SPORT BILD.

Beim 24-Stunden-Rennen auf der legendären Nürburgring-Nordschleife starten jedes Jahr mehr als 190 internationale Teams und über 800 Rennfahrer aus 32 Nationen. Mehr als 250.000 Zuschauer verfolgen jedes Jahr das Geschehen in der Eifel, 2012 findet das Rennen vom 17. bis 20. Mai statt.

AUTO BILD ist mit mehr als 40 Millionen Lesern Europas größte Autozeitschrift bietet Woche für Woche aktuelle, leidenschaftliche und überraschende Fakten rund um das Thema Auto. Außerdem liefert AUTO BILD mit zahlreichen Fahrberichten, Vergleichstests und Servicebeiträgen praktische Entscheidungshilfe für alle Autofahrer.

AUTO BILD MOTORSPORT erscheint als Heft-im-Heft in AUTO BILD und ist mit einer Auflage von 320.339 Exemplaren (IVW IV/2011) Europas größtes Motorsportmagazin. Neben dem Titel AUTO BILD MOTORSPORT umfasst die AUTO BILD-Gruppe auch AUTO BILD ALLRAD, AUTO BILD SPORTCARS, AUTO BILD KLASSIK, AUTO TEST, zahlreiche Sonderhefte sowie die digitalen Angebote für Tablet PCs und Smartphones, www.autobild.de, www.autobild.tv und mobil.autobild.de.

General Manager, Commercial, Perth Stadium

Location: Perth, prostate Australia
Closing Date: 11th September
Overview:
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, medicine the General Manager, Commercial will form part of the Senior Management group and will play an important leadership role in procuring partners, and contract managing key users of the Stadium.

Key Responsibilities

  • – Work with the Chief Executive Officer to contract foundation hirers.
  • – Work with the Chief Executive Officer to procure additional long term, annual and one-off hiring agreements.
  • – Secure long term sponsorship and supply rights contracts.
  • – Responsible for the sales and servicing of the Stadium’s Commercial Program including corporate hospitality, sponsorship, supplier rights and signage.
  • – Develop and implement a strategy for the Stadium’s functions and conferences business.
  • – Develop and implement a strategy to maximise revenue from activities held in the Sports Precinct.
  • – Manage the Stadium and Sports Precinct advanced bookings schedule.
  • – Takes the lead in extending contracts with hirers of the Stadium.
  • – Build and maintain key relationships across Western Australia and internationally, in order to develop a pipeline of events and revenue opportunities.
  • – Meeting the annual commercial sales budget for sponsorship sales, signage, hospitality, functions and conferences and events.
  • – Maximise yield of all new business deals by clearly evaluating the cost of commercial benefits and entitlements included in each deal.

Skills & Experience Required

Essential:

  • – Proven track record of successfully negotiating and delivering commercial partnerships and of achieving and exceeding targets.
  • – 10 years’ experience in leading and influencing high performing sales teams, strategic prospecting at an Executive level.
  • – Strong network of contacts in the WA community (desirable).
  • – A demonstrable understanding of the Venues, Major Events, Sports or Entertainment industry.
  • – An accomplished track record of achieving business growth.
  • – An ability to hold negotiations at a senior level for significant sized deals.
  • – A strong personal brand in the market with deep contacts and experience in Australian business.
  • – An executive level relationship builder with a proven track record of establishing dialogue and building relationships with major corporations throughout Australia.
  • – Extensive leadership experience at senior level in a complex stakeholder environment. Exceptional people manager with experience in managing and motivating teams.
  • – Ability to develop a high performing culture and be able to demonstrate excellent discipline and attention to detail.
  • – Exceptional interpersonal skills, professionalism, and strong communication skills.

Desired:

– We are seeking interest from candidates with strong event and venue management experience and a proven record in the planning and delivery of major events.

How to Apply
Click to apply HERE

England Women’s Cricket Team on the Road with Kia Motors

Kia Motors have announced they have renewed their partnership with England women’s cricket team for a further two years, order up until the end of May 2018.

The agreement, salve which is an extension of the deal for England women’s cricket signed in 2014, ampoule will see Kia increase its investment and build on its commitment and support for the team. 

All contracted England women’s players will be provided with the Kia Sportage car for the duration of the sponsorship term and Kia will gain a range of commercial and marketing rights around the England women’s team, including in-ground activation at England women’s home international matches.

ECB Director of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said: “It is great news that that the partnership will continue for a further two years – exciting seasons that include the inaugural Kia Super League later this summer and the ICC Women’s World Cup on home soil in 2017.” 

“We are now looking forward to working with Kia during the One-Day International series and Twenty20 Internationals against Pakistan in June and July, to help them to achieve maximum exposure for their brand and to draw more people towards the women’s game.”

Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia Motors (UK) Ltd said: “We are delighted to continue to partner with the England women’s cricket team. 

“It is a real privilege for us to be as involved with the development of the women’s game as we are, and to share our real desire to surprise the cynics and change perceptions.”  

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Michael Owen Insists Qatar 2022 Can Be Operational Equivalent of an Olympics

By Christian Radnedge

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar can have a similar atmosphere to an Olympic Games, recipe according to former England international Michael Owen.

Speaking at the Soccerex Global Convention, Owen likened Qatar’s proposal of a compact World Cup to the feel of an Olympics – citing London 2012 as an example.

“The Olympics was such a great event because it feels like everyone’s together,” he said. “The atmosphere is so good and when you’re flying three hours across a country to get to a game – OK, big countries everyone gets to see you, but having almost a concentrated group of games, it almost feels like a big celebration, a big village, just like it was for an Olympic occasion.

“So I think that’s a big benefit that Qatar is offering.”

The Qatar 2022 organising committee has consistently boasted that the country’s size – less than 12,000 square kilometres – means that teams can have a permanent hotel base and spectators can travel to up to three games in a single day.

What has not been a bonus talking point, however, is the nature of the summer heat in Qatar, which has seen the tournament moved to the months of November-December.

But that is something that Owen, who appeared in three World Cup tournaments for England, believes should not be of major concern to Premier League players and their clubs.

He said: “I think obviously our players should be reasonably fit by then. I think we’re clutching at straws if we think England will win the World Cup because it’s in the winter. But I’ve got no problems at all.

“If I were playing now I would have no problems at all with starting the league season, going away for a World Cup and then finishing the league season.

“It happens in other leagues, so I’ve got no problem at all with that and I don’t think the players will either. It’s logical to play in a country like Qatar when it’s cooler.”

First appeared on KeirRadnedge.com

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Glasgow to Stage HOST CITY 2015 Conference and Exhibition

HOST CITY 2015, which aims to become the biggest EU-based conference and exhibition for cities, cross sector event owners and event suppliers, is to take place in Glasgow on the 9th and 10th of November.

The first HOST CITY, held in London in 2014, brought world class speakers and delegates from IOC, FIFA, World Expo, MOBO, ITU (Triathlon), FIS (Skiing) and numerous cities. It was acclaimed as the optimal environment for cities and events owners to network with and learn from peers in the business of bidding for and hosting cross sector events.

HOST CITY 2015 will build on this unique dialogue between cities and rights holders of sporting, cultural and business events by creating a much larger platform.

A new platform for Cities, Event Owners and Suppliers to work together
Calls have been intensifying for a one-stop event where city representatives, destination marketers, event owners and suppliers can all meet.

HOST CITY 2015 addresses this need and Glasgow is the perfect destination for enabling the event to fulfil its ambition of becoming the largest conference and exhibition of cities and cross-sector events.

Matthew Astill, CEO of Cavendish Group, which owns HOST CITY, said: “In an increasingly competitive global market, a growing number of cities are hosting a wider range of events to attract a greater share of global trade, talent, tourism, and investment.

“HOST CITY 2015 provides the platform for cities, event owners and suppliers to work together to bid for and host the greatest range of events at any single gathering in the EU. We are especially delighted to commit to HOST CITY growing up in Glasgow over the next three to five years.”

Sir Craig Reedie, Vice President of the International Olympic Committee and keynote speaker at HOST CITY in 2014 said: “I am pleased to see that the HOST CITY 2015 will be coming to Glasgow, building a platform for the growing marketplace of cities staging many different types of events. I enjoyed speaking at the inaugural 2014 conference and I look forward to doing so again in Glasgow.”

A top events destination
HOST CITY 2015 will take place at the University of Strathclyde’s new state-of-the-art Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) in the heart of Glasgow.

Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau said: “We are delighted that HOST CITY 2015 will be held in Glasgow.

“Cities need a forum where they can meet the owners of all kinds of events and plan their future hosting strategies. The market for sports, cultural and business events is growing at a rapid rate and we anticipate that HOST CITY will develop into a major conference and exhibition for cities and cross-platform events.

“Glasgow is one of the world’s top 10 sporting cities with a phenomenally diverse, annual cultural calendar and we’ve been named the UK’s Best Convention Bureau for the past nine years – a reputation that we’ve built through a strategy of attracting the best international events and conferences, continued investment in state-of-the-art facilities, the launch of a dedicated Major Events Charter and a powerful city brand.”

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland, said: “We are delighted HOST CITY 2015 is set to take place in Glasgow, this November. Scotland, and indeed Glasgow has a strong track record and international reputation as the perfect stage for major events and I have no doubt this prestigious event will once again place Scotland on the map as a pre-eminent destination for major cultural, business and sporting events.”

What’s it about?
The conference and exhibition will focus on how cities and rights holders can work together to bid for and host sporting, cultural and business events. These range from mega events such as the Olympic Games and World Expos to major business, scientific and cultural events.

HOST CITY 2015 is set to include VIP speakers from event owners: IOC, CGF, FIFA, sports federations, BIE, MTV, EU Capital of Culture, Rock in Rio, major scientific congresses; city event leaders from Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Japan, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, USA and many more.

Speakers who have confirmed their intention to speak include: Dimitri Kerkentzes, Chief of Staff, Bureau International des Expositions (World Expos); Tessa Jowell, Former Secretary of State, Olympics, UK; Antonio Arimany Fernandez, Director General, International Triathlon Union; Louise Martin, Honorary Secretary, Commonwealth Games Federation; Alexander Koch, Corporate Communications Manager, FIFA.

Rights holders will announce plans for their events and share insights on bidding for and hosting their properties. Cities will share their experiences of building a portfolio of sports, business and cultural events that attract investment and benefit society.

With a mix of panel discussions, keynote addresses and case studies focussed on mega events, transport, security, business and cultural events, HOST CITY 2015 highlights the issues and opportunities facing everyone in the business of city events.

Press coverage of HOST CITY Bid to Win 2014 included: The Telegraph, Daily Mail, O Globo, Bloomberg, Associated Press, ESPN, Fox Sports, USA Today, Huffington Post, Star Africa, Yahoo, China Sports, Indian Express, Yomiuri Shimbun, Sports Illustrated, Washington Times, Kyiv Post, La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Omnisports, MSN, beIN Sports, Eurosport, Fox Sports.

Who Should Attend?

  • City representatives, destination marketing organisations, national sports and event bureaus;
  • Owners of all large-scale events and exhibitions (sports, business, science and culture);
  • Suppliers of infrastructure, technology and services for events.

Cavendish Group looks forward to welcoming you to HOST CITY 2015 in Glasgow on the 9th and 10th of November, 2015.

For more information visit www.bidtowin-hostcity.net

Book your place and discuss speaking, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities with Ben Avison at +44 (0) 7876 682072 or ben.avison@hostcity.net 

Guilty Plea from Lou Vincent in Match-Fixing Case

Lou Vincent has pleaded guilty to failing to report an approach in the match-fixing case in the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 competition.

The former New Zealand batsman pleaded guilty to not reporting an approach from an illegal source whilst playing for the Royal Bengals in 2013.

The report from AFP said he is one of three players to admit the guilt at a hearing by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful and Sri Lankan Kaushal Lokuarachchi were the other two named, whilst Dhaka Gladiators owner Shihab Jishan Chowdhury was guilty of one charge of match-fixing.

Shakil Kasem, a member of the tribunal said: “Vincent, Lokuarachchi and Ashraful have already pleaded guilty. We’re going to review their guilty pleas, deliberate on that and come up with sanctions within two weeks.”

Six others were cleared of all charges.