Spanish switch to collective TV rights sales set for 2016-17
By David Owen in Monaco
October 9 – Spain looks increasingly likely to switch to a collective model for the sale of broadcasting rights to La Liga for the 2016-17 season.
Mayne-Nicholls ponders a push for a place in the FIFA sun
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – The FIFA-appointed expert who headed the bidding countries evaluation committee and first cautioned about the dangers of taking the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, is considering running against Sepp Blatter for the world governing body’s presidency next year.
EVS, Cisco and a revolution that will be ‘televised’
By Paul Nicholson
October 9 – Digital technology has revolutionised media, consumption of media and fan engagement outside the stadium. Now it is upgrading the in-stadium experience, on multiple levels.
Money doesn’t buy you love, or World Cup success, says Seifert
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – The Premier League may be the most watched in world football worth a staggering £5.5 billion over three years, including overseas rights of £2.4 billion, but money doesn’t necessarily buy you world-class stars.
La Liga slams total ban on TPO but proposes compromise
By David Owen in Monaco
October 9 – Battle-lines over the issue of third-party ownership (TPO) are being drawn, with Spain’s La Liga coming out strongly against FIFA’s decision to ban the practice.
Swiss second tier club lines up new €43m stadium development
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
October 9 – Swiss club FC Schaffhausen has unveiled the design of its planned CHF 52 million (€43 million) new stadium. Under the plan, the stadium will be built on a recently-acquired 33,000 square metre site. The construction project will be jointly implemented by Aniello Fontana, the club’s chief executive, and local real estate developer Gallus Immobilien AG.
Winter 2022 no problem, just shift the Winter Olympics, says club chief
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – As debate continues to split opinion over the best time to stage the 2022 Qatar World Cup, a leading representative of Europe’s clubs says if the tournament is switched to January and February, the winter Olympics should move, partly because it means far less to most fans.
Webb demands more on racism and bangs the drum for more World Cup slots
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb, world football’s most influential powerbroker in the global bid to stamp out racism, has issued another hard-hitting indictment of progress – or lack of it – and says a major challenge lies ahead to make sure the 2018 World Cup in Russia is void of discrimination.
A bridge too far, Salman drops out of Leaders conference in Chelsea
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – The head of Asian football and one of FIFA’s most powerful administrators, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, was conspicuous by his absence as the Leaders Sport Business Summit, attended by a raft of the game’s movers and shakers, opened today.
Leiweke questions whether English PL invasion is in US national interest
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – One of North America’s leading sports industry executives has questioned the wisdom of European clubs playing lucrative fixtures in the United States, whether pre-season or, as is now being suggested once again, competitive Premier League games.
CAF: Seven bidders enter race to host 2017 Africa Cup of Nations
By Mark Baber
October 8 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced seven bidders in the competition to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations; Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Sudan and Zimbabwe.
FIFA delivers media education to Djibouti TV and journos
By Mark Baber
October 8 – FIFA is this week working together with the Djibouti Football Federation (FDF) to deliver a 5-day training course to 31 local journalists which, it is hoped, will raise the standard of professionalism in football coverage in the country and, it is hoped, bring the Djibouti Premier League to an international audience.
UEFA newcomer Gill heads straight for FIFA’s top table
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – The battle to replace FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce at the top table of world football administration has been stepped up with the announcement that England’s David Gill is putting his name forward even though he has only been a member of UEFA’s executive committee for less than 18 months.
Brazil 2014 set records in several key TV markets – FIFA
By David Owen in Monte Carlo
October 8 – Viewing figures for this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil set records in several key football markets, Niclas Ericson, FIFA’s director of TV, has told the Sportel Convention in Monaco.
Italian chief Tavecchio banned for 6 months for ‘banana eaters’ slur
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – The administration of Italian football has been plunged into disrepute after federation president Carlo Tavecchio was banned from all European roles by UEFA for six months over his infamous ‘banana eaters’ comment whilst running for election.