Soccer News & Notes, November 17, 2010

The MLS Wizards today are set to become Sporting Kansas City in "a move that’s been long rumored and has recently been solidified by mounting evidence." Recent leaks of potential logos, plus the news that MLS has registered the domain "SportingKCGear.com," seem to "confirm any suspicion" of rebranding. The club also is expected to unveil its newest player signing: Omar Bravo. The formal announcement will take place tonight at K.C.’s Power and Light District

Source: www.sportsbusinessdaily.com

MLS reserve league will return for 2011 season
Submitted by Matt Cutler on Wed, 17/11/2010
Major League Soccer (MLS)’s reserve league will return in 2011, three seasons after it was disbanded because of costs and logistics, according to the Associated Press.

The reserve league will have a 10-game regular season, with most games played the day after first-team matches.The top eight teams will make the play-offs.
The move had been expected after adidas extended its sponsorship deal this summer, and MLS commissioner Don Garber announced details yesterday during his annual state of the league teleconference.

Additionally MLS rosters will be expanded to 30 players, with five spots reserved for players 24 and younger. Those players will make up the bulk of the reserve rosters, along with players on the franchises’ developmental academies.

Source: www.sportbusiness.com

FIFA TECHNICAL REPORTS JUDGE ENGLAND’S ’18 WORLD CUP BID FAVORABLY

FIFA today will release its technical reports on World Cup bids, and they "look set to boost England’s hopes of hosting the 2018 tournament while potentially dashing Qatar 2022’s chances." The reports "seem certain to boost" the U.S.’ and Australia’s hopes of hosting the ’22 event (ESPNSOCCERNET.com, 11/16). The "only issue raised" for England is its "contracted hotel rooms"

(London TELEGRAPH, 11/17). The Russian report "raises questions about its transport plan" for ’18
(GUARDIAN.co.uk, 11/16).

The UKPA has acquired an advanced copy of the reports and offers a list of some of the key points for each individual bid (UKPA, 11/17).

Source: www.sportsbusinessdaily.com

South Korea to host 2022 World Cup games in North Korea
Submitted by Matt Cutler on Wed, 17/11/2010

South Korea would stage some 2022 FIFA World Cup matches in North Korea if it wins the right to host the event in Zurich next month.

The matches in the two countries were among disclosures contained in a summary of bidders for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments written by FIFA’s technical panel and obtained yesterday by Bloomberg News.
The Korean peninsula has been divided since civil war ended in 1953 and tensions between the two nations grew this year after a torpedo attack on a South Korean warship killed 46 sailors. South Korea blamed North Korea for the attack.

According to Bloomberg, the summary also says that the US bid "lacks the government backing" required by FIFA, and Qatar’s effort is hampered by temperatures that can reach more than 46 degrees centigrade.

FIFA’s executive committee will announce its decision on the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups on December 2.

Source: www.sportbusiness.com

French players to donate 2010 World Cup bonus
Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The French players who took part in this year’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa are to give their bonuses to amateur clubs as a way of making amends for their bad behaviour and disappointing performance.

The information was confirmed by French football federation president Fernand Duchaussoy, who is in London for today’s friendly against England.

The bonuses, worth an estimate 3 million euros, represent a share of the federation’s sponsorship revenue and are unrelated to performance.

France’s first-round exit was preceded by players striking for one day in a protest against Nicolas Anelka’s dismissal for falling out with manager Raymond Domenech.

Source: SoccerEx Business Daily