UK directors tell Fifa backers to speak out after Visa sponsorship threatened following corruption charges May 28, 2015 Britain's bosses have piled more pressure on Fifa’s sponsors to end their support for the under-fire football governing body. In light of the latest scandal to engulf Sepp Blatter’s organisation, the Institute of Directors (IoD) called on sponsors and their shareholders to act, unless Fifa radically reforms its standards of governance. Visa has [...]
RBS joins Barclays in search for new corporate brokers May 28, 2015 Two of Britain’s biggest banks are both now searching for new corporate brokers, City A.M. understands, in a shake up of the sector’s relationships with the investing marketplace. UBS and Morgan Stanley are RBS’ current corporate brokers. UBS, it is understood, is highly unlikely to repitch for the role because of existing privatisation work it [...]
EU reform talks: David Cameron rejects status quo during European tour May 28, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron put increased pressure on European leaders yesterday to support his EU reform agenda, saying late last night that “the status quo is not good enough.”. Speaking at a joint press conference in Paris with French President Francois Hollande, Cameron said that his proposed reforms would “address the concerns of the [...]
Network Rail strike rescheduled as RMT union refuses pay offer May 28, 2015 THE RAIL strike is back on. Londoners may have avoided travel disruptions earlier this week when the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union called off a two-day strike over pay disputes, but yesterday the union said that more industrial action could be expected as soon as next week. RMT said that it would hold a 24-hour strike from [...]
Equities slip as doubt lingers over Greek deal May 28, 2015 EUROPEAN and US shares slipped lower yesterday amid continued uncertainty over Greece’s debt problems. Equities had rallied earlier in the week on reports of provisional agreements between Greece and its creditors, but later dropped off when German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said that not much progress had been made. In a last-ditch effort to receive [...]
Women’s teams ready for action in new football computer game May 28, 2015 EA SPORTS, the maker of the popular Fifa series of football computer games, has announced that the latest version, to be released this September, will feature women’s teams for the first time. The game will allow players to take part in matches operating as 12 of the top national women’s sides, including England, Germany, Brazil [...]
S&P downgrades Vodafone as shareholders mull Liberty deal May 28, 2015 Telecoms group Vodafone has been downgraded by ratings agency Standard & Poors (S&P) which said the company is facing tough business conditions in key markets. The agency said obstacles to Vodafone include “strong sustained competition” and consolidation in the UK market that is likely to leave the firm in the number 3 position. In addition, [...]
Irish parliament clears IAG for take-off in buyout of Aer Lingus May 28, 2015 THE Irish parliament yesterday gave British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines’ (IAG) bid for Aer Lingus the final go-ahead. Irish MPs voted by a majority of 23 according to local media reports, ending two days of tense negotiations. The vote comes after the Irish government agreed to sell its 25 per cent in Aer Lingus [...]
FCA watchdog Martin Wheatley: I am not hunting for bankers’ scalps May 28, 2015 Top watchdog Martin Wheatley yesterday denied he wants to “put heads on sticks” or to go “scalp hunting” in his campaign to make banks and managers more accountable. In a firm defence of the plan to make bosses of failed banks prove they took reasonable steps to mitigate risks, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) chief [...]
BT to reveal subscription prices for European Champions League coverage May 28, 2015 BT Sport is close to announcing a payment structure for subscriptions to its upcoming exclusive live coverage of the European Champions League. The broadcaster began showing Premier League matches during the 2013-14 season. It has since upped its football offering by paying £897m to show the Champions League for the next three seasons. Industry sources [...]
