Soccer News & Notes – March 8, 2011

CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer hits out at World Cup allocations

FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer has spoken of his dismay after CONCACAF missed out on an extra place at the 2014 World Cup.

Blazer, who is secretary general of CONCACAF, the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, spoke out on his Twitter account after FIFA opted to maintain the status quo in World Cup allocations. CONCACAF had wanted four places at the 2014 World Cup but was left with three full slots plus the possibility of one more via a two-leg play-off with a team from another confederation.

"Really not happy with the FIFA ExCo meeting," stated Blazer. "Everyone protects their own interests rather than doing what’s right." He added: "The last time we hosted, in (Mexico in) 1986 and (in the USA in) 1994, we didn’t get an extra slot. Why should South America? In 2010, Africa had six and only Ghana advanced (beyond the group stage). Why do they have five and we (have) 3.5?"

Blazer added: "We are 35 members who are very serious about qualifying. We want to be treated fairly and given enough opportunity to be successful. Hear us." Blazer also suggested that Oceania deserved more than half a place, stating: "I think they should have a whole place. It was a big error in 2003 to strip them of it. They should get their missing half."

Source: SoccerEx Business Daily

Blazer hails FIFA’s "representative democracy"
March 8, 2011

FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer has insisted he still believes in the organisation’s decision-making process despite having criticised the decision to retain the status quo in allocations for the 2014 World Cup.

Blazer stated on his Twitter account that he was "really not happy with the FIFA ExCo meeting" after his CONCACAF body missed out on securing an extra place at the 2014 tournament in Brazil. CONCACAF, representing the North, Central American and Caribbean countries, will only have three finalists at the competition, with the possibility of a fourth via a play-off with a team from another international confederation.

However, he told Reuters in an interview on Monday that FIFA’s "representative democracy" cannot be bettered, and added: "In any group where you have different points of view, you will always have dissatisfaction with decisions that are taken."

He added: "FIFA has to deal with the passions and interests of people…When it comes to football, your feeling is always based on passion. That’s a great thing, but it also happens to make us the target of criticism when it comes down to it. Even my own criticism last week regarding CONCACAF’s number of teams in the 2014 World Cup came from passion. But we are a representative democracy."

Source: SoccerEx Business Daily

English FA would support "credible challenger" to Blatter -reports
March 8, 2011
Leaders of the Football Association (FA) in England would support any "credible challenger" to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, according to various reports on Monday.

Mohamed bin Hammam has dropped a series of hints that he could challenge Blatter in the elections later this year, and The Associated Press and Reuters both reported that the FA is considering writing to the Qatari head of the Asian Football Confederation to urge him to stand against the incumbent.

Any candidates for the June 1 presidential vote at the FIFA Congress in Zurich must be nominated by one of FIFA’s 208 national federations. In his most recent comments about the FIFA presidential elections, Bin Hammam said on his Facebook account that "competition is the best way to make the organisation vibrant and alive".

On Saturday, Blatter (pictured) told reporters: "If I win, okay. If lose, I say ‘thank you’, then go away. You will have your new face and then we will see what will happen. If there are some other candidates then we will face other candidates. That’s a democratic system."

Source: SoccerEx Business Daily

FIFA financial results reveal "dependency" on World Cup
Fri, 04/03/2011

FIFA made a profit of US$631 million over the last four years, with world football’s governing body revealing on Thursday that 87% of its $4.19 billion turnover was generated by the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

FIFA’s financial report confirmed that expenditure was $3.56 billion, $105 million over budget due of additional investments in football development and a $31 million overspend on the 2010 World Cup. FIFA’s annual profits have grown steadily from $49 million in 2007 to $202 million in 2010, while the ruling body’s reserves have reached $1.28 billion.

"FIFA is financially strong and dependent on the World Cup," said director of finance Markus Kattner. "This illustrates the necessity for FIFA to build up and have sufficient reserves to decrease its dependency on the World Cup."

FIFA also announced on Thursday that the berths for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will remain the same as in 2010. Under that format, Europe is guaranteed 13 spots, Africa will have five, Asia will have four and Central and North America will have three.

South America – in addition to Brazil qualifying automatically as host – will have four spots. South America, Asia, Central and North America and Oceania were also given a half-berth, meaning one country from each region will qualify for a two-legged playoff series for an opportunity to advance as one of the final two qualifiers. The play-off series will be decided by an open draw in future, rather than pre-arranged pairings.

The FIFA Executive Committee also confirmed on Thursday during its meeting that the 2015 Women’s World Cup and 2014 Under-20 Women’s World Cup will be staged by Canada, the 2013 Under-20 World Cup will be hosted by Turkey and the 2015 Under-20 World Cup will take place in New Zealand. It was also decided that the 2013 Under-17 World Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates, the 2015 Under-17 World Cup will take place in Chile, the 2012 Women’s Under-20 World Cup will be staged in Uzbekistan and the 2014 Under-17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Costa Rica.

Source: sportbusiness.com

English Premier League trophy to travel the world
March 8, 2011

The Barclays Premier League trophy will be taken on a global tour by the League and its title sponsor.

The tour will start in Abu Dhabi and visit three more cities in the Middle East before heading to Hong Kong for the Barclays Asia Trophy in July. It will then travel to Asia, North America and Africa during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.

A dedicated website has been created at www.barclayspremierleaguetrophytour.com for fans to find out more information and also pre-book priority places for the tour. Abu Dhabi Sports Channel, which shows every Barclays Premier League match live, is partnering Barclays and the Premier League for the Middle East leg of the tour.

"Global interest in the Barclays Premier League has never been higher, with demand for this type of additional experience coming from fans right across the globe," said Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore. "Nothing beats a live match, but the kind of unique content that is going into the Barclays Premier League Trophy Tour will make a compelling attraction for fans of all 20 clubs as well as projecting a positive image of Britain abroad."

Source: sportbusiness.com

Under Armour Inks Kit Supply Deal With EPL Club Tottenham Hotspur
March 8, 2011

Under Armour and Tottenham Hotspur today announced a five-year kit supply agreement, the Baltimore-based company’s first with an EPL club. Beginning with the ’12-13 season, Under Armour will provide Tottenham with performance apparel, including training wear and game jerseys for the club’s teams, as well as replica merchandise available for retail (Tottenham). Under Armour will replace Puma as Tottenham’s jersey supplier (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 3/7).

Source: sportsbusinessdaily.com

Canon snaps up Copa America sponsorship deal
07/03/2011

Photography and digital imaging specialist Canon USA has been unveiled as a global sponsor of the upcoming Copa America tournament in Argentina.
Under the terms of the agreement, Canon will be the official camera, lens, binocular, video camera, broadcast lens, printer, calculator, digital radiography system and office equipment supplier for the competition.

Canon will also secure exposure through two on-field advertisement boards per match, a logo on all press conference backdrops and branding on all official promotional materials and souvenir programs.

This year’s Copa America, which will see 12 Latin American national teams compete for the honour of being the continent’s top side, will run from July 1-24.

"As a premier provider of digital imaging equipment, Canon continuously seeks to leverage strategic avenues or high-profile events to help raise brand awareness and Copa America Argentina 2011 presents a unique opportunity to reach the fast-growing Latin American markets," said Taro Maruyama, president of Canon Latin America.

"Copa America is one of the longest-running and most prestigious tournaments in the world and we are excited to be a part of this important event and look forward to capturing all of the exhilarating moments through the imaging eye of Canon," added Maruyama.

Source: sportbusiness.com

Former Ukraine President underlines Euro 2012 importance
Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk believes UEFA Euro 2012 will provide a useful test of the country’s independence.

Kravchuk, who served for three years as the first President of Ukraine following the declaration of the nation’s independence in 1991, believes the competition will help to promote the image of the country. Ukraine will co-host Euro 2012 with neighbouring Poland.

"Twenty years ago European political leaders didn’t know much about Ukraine, let alone ordinary people. Unfortunately the problem persists," Kravchuk told UEFA.com. "But when Ukraine hosts Euro hundreds of millions will watch on TV, and hundreds of thousands will come here to meet Ukrainians, speak to them, and see our beautiful land. The tournament’s positive impact on Ukraine will be monumental. The main thing, in my opinion, is that Ukraine will make a big step towards Europe, its standard of living and values."

Kravchuk added: "Euro 2012 is a kind of test of Ukraine’s independence. The tournament can help us solve a lot of economic, social and political problems as the preparations will cover almost all walks of life. It can help us fight the things undermining the very basis of our independence. We want to become better – and Euro gives us this chance."

Source: sportbusiness.com