Week in Sportbiz: Tokyo 2020 Olympics hit by another sexism scandal; World Rugby boosts women’s game; LaLiga brings tiki-taka teachers to East Sussex March 18, 2021 “I would like to show a new direction,” said Seiko Hashimoto upon taking over as president of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the wake of a sexism storm last month. Four weeks later, Hashimoto’s hopes have been torpedoed by revelations that another senior male official for this summer’s Games made derogatory comments about women. Tokyo [...]
Thousands of Dutch football fans to return next week for Holland v Latvia World Cup qualifier March 17, 2021 Holland has revealed plans to allow thousands of football fans, some without face masks, back into stadiums next week. Dutch football chiefs and the government will open doors at the Johan Cruyff Arena for the World Cup qualifying match between Holland and Latvia on Saturday 27 March. Up to 5,000 spectators will be allowed into [...]
Premiership Rugby Cup 2020-21 cancelled over player welfare and competition integrity concerns March 17, 2021 The Premiership Rugby Cup has been cancelled for this season due to complications caused by Covid-19. Premiership Rugby, which represents England’s leading clubs, cited concerns over player welfare and the tournament’s integrity if it went ahead. It means there will be domestic cup competition in English club rugby for only the second time in half [...]
Cheltenham Festival set for biggest TV audience in 10 years as organisers broadcast more races and shorten intervals March 16, 2021 This year’s Cheltenham Festival is set to attract its biggest UK television audience in a decade, according to analysts. The expected boost to viewing figures is a result of additional races being broadcast and the racecourse being closed to spectators, says Nielsen Sports. Cheltenham Festival, the most eagerly anticipated week of National Hunt racing in [...]
England in line for more Euro 2020 games as Uefa vows to ditch host cities that cannot guarantee crowds March 16, 2021 Euro 2020 organisers will axe host cities if they cannot guarantee that fans will be allowed to attend matches at this summer’s tournament. Dublin, Glasgow and Bilbao are the three hosts considered most likely to be cut from the pan-European, 12-city format. “The ideal scenario is to play the tournament in the original 12 venues, [...]
Premier League footballers asked to encourage young Brits to get Covid-19 vaccine March 15, 2021 Premier League footballers are being asked to encourage young Britons to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Government ministers believe the move will increase take-up among under-30s, reports The Sun, after polling found one in six had reservations about the jab. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has written to Premier League clubs to seek their help in reaching [...]
Mikel Arteta had no choice but to drop Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – and history suggests Arsenal captain should fall into line March 15, 2021 In dropping his captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, for the north London derby because he arrived late, Mikel Arteta took a huge risk. Lose to bitter rivals Tottenham, and the decision would look like hubristic self-sabotage. Win – as Arsenal ultimately did – and it is brave, principled leadership. Bold though it certainly was, in many ways [...]
Football Index has licence suspended by Gambling Commission after appointing administrators March 12, 2021 Football Index has had its licence suspended by the Gambling Commission after appointing administrators. The platform, which allows users to trade “shares” in high-profile footballers, suffered a market crash last weekend after reducing dividend payouts – one of the ways users can make money. Football Index suspended trading on Thursday, when it announced it was [...]
Castore founder Tom Beahon on swapping life in the City and as a footballer to start fast-growing British premium sportswear brand March 12, 2021 Steven Gerrard wasn’t the only Liverpudlian celebrating when his Rangers team returned to the summit of Scottish football last weekend. Watching at home on Merseyside were Tom Beahon, 31, and brother Phil, 28, the founders of British sportswear brand Castore. Last year, Castore signed Rangers as their first football client. On Sunday, they toasted the [...]
Week in Sportbiz: Olympic chiefs offer vaccines to athletes; Israel wins French Super Cup; and Winklevoss twins return to Boat Race March 11, 2021 Olympic chiefs have eased concerns around this summer’s Games by offering Covid-19 vaccines to any athlete set to compete at Tokyo 2020. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said the offer applied to athletes and teams involved in either Tokyo or the Winter Games in Beijing in February 2022. The IOC will buy the vaccines from [...]