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Pro14 sells a 28% stake to CVC

The Guinness Pro14 has confirmed it will go into partnership with company CVC Capital Partners.

RTE Sport report that the Pro14 have agreed a 28% stake with the private equity and investment advisory group. It follows after CVC acquired a 27% stake in the English Rugby Premiership. CEO of the IRFU, Philip Browne said he was delighted with the announcement. He said the deal will be worth over €33 million to the IRFU, with a payment of €5.5 million euro expected today.

However, in worrying news, Browne revealed that the IRFU are facing losses of between €15 and €20 million if the remaining Six Nations games and November Internationals don’t go ahead. He stated, “The announcement of CVC’s investment in the Guinness Pro14 League is very positive news, not just for the financial benefits it brings, but, almost as importantly at this time, for the confidence it shows in the Pro14 tournament and the game of rugby in general.”

The PRO 14  also released a statement confirming the news they had sold a 28% to CVC. They said,” The partnership commitment will allow both Pro14 Rugby and the Irish, Italian, Scottish and Welsh rugby unions to continue to invest in the sport, both professional and amateur, to achieve its potential over the long term”.

They stated that a portion of the investment will be held at Pro14 rugby, while some will also be kept for the business and updating league operations. Furthermore, they said, As part of this agreement, the Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR), will also become a member of Celtic Rugby DAC, and receive a share of the investment.

Finally  IRFU  have stated they hope to resume action towards the end of August. It is hoped that there will be a series of provincial derbies within each of the five countries. The league hopes to resume on 23rd and 24th of August. However, it is also hoped that the new season will also begin in October. Of course all of these dates will have to be approved by government and the department of health.

Snooker will return on June 1st in UK

Snooker will return on June 1st in the UK for it’s for first tournament since the outbreak of Covid 19. According to BBC Sport, the event will be the Championship League, which will be held behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.

Strict guidelines will have to be adhered to. Players, match officials and contractors will be tested before entering the venue. Moreover,  they will be kept in isolation until results of those tests were known. BBC Report that players will have to give a negative test in order to fulfil the event. The main reason behind the choice of venue is because there is on site accomodation. This of course means the 64 players who are competing in the tournament could be contained there if something was to occur.

BBC Report that six other measures are in place to ensure the health and safety of all players, staff and officials. Social distancing methods will be in place right across the venue. Furthermore, players will be seated at least 2m apart at games, while handshakes will not be permitted. In addition, players will be required to use hand sanitiser before matches. Referees will also try to keep the 2m distance between themselves and players where possible. There will no access for guests of players and finally first aid personnel will be onsite at all times. The prize for the winner of the tournament is £30,000. The total prize fund is £200,000. . The winner will secure a place in the Champion of Champions in November also.

Barry Hearn has said that player safety will be a top priority when snooker returns. He said, “Players who have any doubts about their own welfare can rest assured that all precautions are being taken,”. Hearn continued,”I am confident that there is no other major sport which can meet health and safety criteria on isolation and social distancing as stringently as snooker can, so we are able to return more quickly than others.”

Man United say pandemic has cost them £28 million

Manchester United have said the current coronavirus pandemic has cost the club in the region of £28 million to date. They also expect these figures to rise. This comes after the club revealed their third quarter results to March 31st.

BBC Report that Cliff Baty said they are due to hand back around £20 million in regards to television revenue, that’s even if the season restarts. The remaining £8 million comes from final three weeks of March when United had three games cancelled due to the pandemic. Batty speaking in a conference call said that television broadcasters will receive the £20 million back due to changes in dates and times of games. Retail sales have also been impacted, this including jerseys and souvenirs for example. He said sales have been “impacted” due to the Old Trafford shop been shut.

The clubs executive vice chairman did state the worst has yet to come for the club stating that the current quarter which runs to the end of June will be where the major burden will occur. He said, “Our third-quarter results reflect a partial impact that the pandemic has had on the club but the greater impact will be in the current quarter and likely beyond,”. Mr Woodward acknowledged that the virus will not go away overnight and stated, “These are unprecedented times and we must recognise that this crisis will not disappear overnight”.  He said it is one of most “extraordinary and testing time of clubs 142 year history”.

United haven’t played a game in 10 weeks since the Europa League with Austrian side Lask Linz. A game Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men won 5-0 in the round of 16.

Former Man United player appointed Cincinnati boss

Former Man United player Jaap Stam has been appointed boss of MLS club FC Cincinnati. Stam has agreed to sign a deal at the club till 2021. The former Holland centre half since retiring has gone on to coach Reading FC, PEC Zwolle and Feyenoord.

Stam replaces Ron Jans, who incidentally, is also from Holland. However, Jans resigned from his position as head coach after an investigation into an alleged use of a racial slur. Stam is looking forward to the role and he told the clubs official website, “For myself, to get the opportunity to work in America and to work in MLS for a club like FC Cincinnati, it’s a dream,”. He continued, “I’ve always liked the country and I’ve always liked the mentality of the people in the States as well in what they’re trying to achieve”. Stam said it is a big challenge for him to do well at the club,  I think they’ve already done a great job”. “Getting results and working together with the fans and everybody already working within the club, for me it’s a big challenge to do well.”

Gerard Nijkamp, general manager at the club also highly spoke of 47 year old Stam. He said, “He has an extensive background in being part of some of the most successful clubs in the world as a player and has also proven that he can guide teams through transitionary periods as a head coach”. “I have full confidence that he will be successful at FC Cincinnati and will be a great fit to carry out our established playing philosophy and guide the club to achieve future successes,”.

Jeff Berding, President of the club said, We’re happy to welcome Jaap to Cincinnati and look forward to him leading us as we start a new chapter of our club story.”

Stam has signed a deal to keep him at the club till December 31st 2021. However, there is an option of an extension for a further year. Stam’s assistant will be Said Bakkati. He worked with Stam at Jong Ajax, Reading, Zwolle and Feyenoord. He also played professional football spanning 15 years. Playing mainly in the Dutch Eredivisie for Heerenveen, Go Ahead Eagles, Zwolle, Emmen and Den Haag.

5 Sports Events to Watch this weekend

Some sports are now back so with that in mind I have put together 5 sports events to watch this weekend. Some good games for sure to enjoy !

  1. World Cup Gold (Friday, 7.30pm, TG4) – TG4 have been superb with this since they are showing no live sport. They will show the Italia 90 meeting between Ireland and Italy. A team which comprised of greats such as Packie Bonner, Paul McGrath, Ray Houghton, Mick McCarthy and Kevin Moran to name but a few. The Italians had players like Baggio, Schillaci, Maldini and Baresi in their ranks. Something to get your weekend started for sure

2. Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 2:30pm, BT Sport 1) – It is 6th versus 2nd on Saturday in the German Bundesliga which returned last weekend with some good games. Dortmund had a resounding 4-0 win over Schalke, while Wolfsburg beat Augsburg 2-1. Dortmund have won the last two fixtures between the sides without conceding. Certainly one to watch on BT Sport 1.

3. Liverpool v Manchester City (Saturday, 6:00pm, Sky Sports) – Not a live game but at least a good game on to get your football fix of the Premier League this weekend. The game was in 2018. A cracker of a game this which Liverpool won 4-3 at Anfield. Goals from Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino got the win for the Reds.

4. Rugby Gold (Saturday, 7.15pm, TG4) – Rugbai Gold will show the game between Munster and Neath in the 2003 Celtic League. Munster lost the Heineken Cup at the same venue to Leicester the previous year and also lost to provincial rivals Leinster. A Munster team with likes of Anthony Foley, John Hayes, Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer to name but a few up against Gareth Llewellyn and the Jones’, Adam and Duncan.

5. All-Ireland Gold (Sunday, 2.45pm, TG4) – Another classic game which TG4 have decided to show is the 1968 All-Ireland Hurling final between Wexford and Tipperary. A cracker of a game it was to.  A game featuring some of the greatest to play the game, Tony Doran, Ned Colfer and Dan Quigley. The game produced 8 goals in total. Jimmy Doyle, John Doyle and Michael Keating were the players on the Premier side.

Enjoy the sports this weekend and remember stay safe !

Korean club hit with record fine

A South Korean football club has been hit with a record fine after they used sex dolls to fill seats at a match which was held behind closed doors.

Its reported the club in question FC Seoul were fined €100,000 FC Seoul came under fire after they used the dolls to portray people in the stands. However, these dolls were wearing t shirts and were holding banners and placards. The logo of a well known sex toy company was on the banners in last Sunday’s game with Gwangju.

K-League officials said the club had “deeply humiliated women fans”. Personally, I feel in this day and age stuff like this should simply not be happening. However, the league stated they accepted that the club in question l, FC Seoul, didn’t know the sex toys were mannequins.  However, they stayed that club could of recognised the mannequins easily and common sense should have been used.

RTE Sport report that FC Seoul accepted the fine and decision by the K League officials. They stated it was a “misunderstanding”. In an apology issued on Facebook and Instagram the club said, “Regarding the cheer mannequins that were installed during the game on the 17th, we sincerely apologize for causing deep concern to the fans,”.

This is our fault without excuse,” said the club. “Regardless of the reason, we apologize again for causing great concern to the fans who love and cheer for FC Seoul. has been underway now since May 8th. The league was suspended for 2 months before that date owing to Covid 19.

Horse Racing Ireland release fixtures for June and July

Horse Racing Ireland have released a full flat racing programme for the months of June and July. It includes the big festival in Galway which will still be run on the same dates.

As I reported earlier this month Horse Racing is set to resume in Ireland behind closed doors on June 8th with action in Naas. There is in total 47 meetings in July alone. However, there will be three days now with no racing in month due to extra meetings been added. The director of horse racing Ireland Jason Morris said, “We recognise that there will be a large demand for opportunities to run and our aim is to provide all Flat horses with their first run as quickly as possible following the resumption of racing by offering a balanced programme across all age groups, distances and categories. There will be 53 flat meetings up to the end of July with this objective in mind”.

Mr Morris said that 22 national hunt meetings will take over June and July, compared to 17 between the same time last year. He continued, “There will be eight-race cards run at every opportunity where stable capacity allows, with the protocols requiring one stable per horse for hygiene reasons”.

The Galway Racing Festival will take place from July 27th to August 2nd. However, there will be some changes to recent year’s. The first two days of the festival will see flat racing only. This will be followed by National Hunt racing on the Wednesday. Thursday and Friday. The final two days of the meeting will be flat cards according to Horse Racing Ireland. Looking at some other courses, Killarney has seen it’s racing cut from five days to three days. Racing will begin in Cork on July 5th, which will be the first of four meetings at the track.

Bellewstown in Meath will host three meetings, with the first on July 2nd. Leopardstown will host meetings beginning on June 9th right up to the end of July. Meanwhile, the Curragh will host the Irish Tattersalls Gold Cup on Sunday the 26th of July.

The full list of horse racing meetings can be viewed here.

 

 

 

Kennelly future in doubt at Sydney

Tadgh Kennelly’s future with AFL side Sydney Swans is looking doubtful after he was stood down by the club as part of cut backs due to Covid 19.

Kennelly who played nearly 200 games for the Swans, before retiring in 2011 has been coaching at the club since 2017. The Kerry man who won a Grand Final in 2005, worked at the club as a defence coach last season.

RTE Sport report that he was due to take up the mantle of coaching the midfield before Covid 19 ravaged through the World In a statement, Charlie Gardiner club head of football said , “We have had to combine roles and look for efficiencies where we can find them to maximise the contribution of every role within the 25 head count”. How long AFL continues will be like having a coinflip on CSGO, it could be one month or one year.

Mr Gardiner continued, “That has also resulted in the stand-down period for 10 full-time staff being extended, while a large number of part-time and casual staff are not able to be re-engaged”. The statement said as well Kennelly, two other staff members were also not reinstated, these were Stuart Maxfield (opposition analyst) and Graig Holden (Team Swans Manager).

The statement continued, “All have been wonderful servants of the club – we are feeling for them and their families.”.  In addition the statement said “we do not know what the future holds as we continue to see the landscape change due to the pandemic”. The club acknowledged that the “impact” of the changes will be felt for quite some time.

However, Gardiner did say it was good to be back in terms of training he told the Sydney Swans website, “It’s exciting to be back but there are still plenty of challenges to work through.” He continued, “We’re also working through a plan to ensure all players remain match-fit, given there will be no AFL involvement in second-tier competitions. It’s unclear what the season will look like and we need to ensure every player on our list is ready should we need to call on them.

Kennelly made history in 2009 when he returned home to Ireland to play and win the All-Ireland football final with Kerry. Kerry beat near neighbours Cork in that final 0-16 to 1-09. The Listowel man kicked two points that day.

 

The Future of 2019/20 English Premier League amid Severe Uncertainties

With the novel coronavirus pandemic still being a significant pain in world economies; the sporting world is no different.

EPL football clubs remain hopeful that as time unfolds things will ease and the premier league will end sooner than later. However, there are lots of uncertainties as players undergo testing to determine if they are fit to interact with others. The player’s health, as well as fans’ health, continue to remain of utmost importance. Thus, stringent measures are in force to ensure that no one contracts the deadly illness. Here’s everything you ought to know about the future of the 2019/20 EPL. 

 

The training sessions 

 

Training is quite paramount in ensuring that players fit for the upcoming sporting event. Most of the players have been training on their own to keep their minds off strenuous activities. However, personal training isn’t enough. Thus, most clubs are trying to be hopeful about welcoming players to training camps as the month unfolds. However, this is all going to become possible should the players test negative for the COVID-19 virus. Thus, they get a chance to prepare for the return of the live match actions to take place in June. 

 

The closed-door gaming event

 

EPL games attract a huge fan base in the stadiums with most people booking their tickets early in advance. However, that is all to change once the games resume. Most of the EPL games will take place in closed-door events as the public gets to stream the games while at home. During this time one can decide to wager on the sports via various websites, including Euromillions. One could only wonder will the clubs agree to play on neutral grounds. 

 

The scheduled resumption of games 

 

At the very least there’s a high likelihood of the EPL to resume in June. It thus leaves on with plenty of time to prepare to wager individual bets in various gambling webpages including Lottopark.com. However, the event is subject to the government approval on the remaining matches at the approved stadiums. Multiple clubs are in their training ground while adhering to strict social distancing WHO stipulated guidelines. 

 

The transfers 

 

There’s a high possibility that any transfers made when all fixtures got postponed might not get reinstated. Thus, managers have a more significant role to take up and cancel any triple captain they’ve played before the game week’s deadline. Nonetheless, that doesn’t apply to transfers that have to get made or any free hit chips played.

 

The remaining 92 matches in the 2019/20 get much anticipated by players, fans and punters alike. The games get set to become more attractive; thus, you need not miss the betting chance in various sites including Loterias Del Mundo. Get to sharpen your gambling skills each time you get to prepare for any uncertain betting events in different betting platforms such as Euromillions. It’d be best to keep calm and have an open approach to the future of 2019/20 EPL games as anything is quite possible.

 

Injury forces Tyler Bleyendaal to retire

A neck injury has forced Munster Rugby’s Tyler Bleyendaal to retire from professional rugby with immediate effect.

The 29 year-old out-half made the last of his 62 appearances in the red jersey against Ospreys last November but medical advice has now ended his playing career.

The New Zealander, Munster Rugby’s Player of the Year 2016-17, said of his decision:

“It has been very tough to be honest, to admit the fact that I’m retiring from rugby, but the decision is out of my hands now, it’s a medical decision, and it’s the right decision.  It doesn’t make it any easier because rugby is a massive part of my life, but I do know that I gave it absolutely everything.”

Bleyendaal, a former nominee for European Player of the Year, thanked the Munster fans for their support throughout his time in Ireland, stating:

“I want to thank the Munster supporters, they have been absolutely fantastic, and they are a massive reason why myself, and the whole team, love playing in front of our home crowd and our away supporters as well. It still amazes me the support we get at any location around the world, and I want to thank everyone for their support, the personal messages, and the support of the team.”

A former New Zealand U20s player, Bleyendaal joined Munster Rugby from the Canterbury Crusaders – where he had made 20 Super Rugby appearances – in January 2015. He made his debut for the province against Benetton Rugby in September 2015. He has played at both out-half and at first centre with the club, captaining the side 11 times, the first occasion being against Edinburgh in February 2017. He scored five tries and kicked 352 points in his 62 games in red.

During the 2016-17 season Bleyendaal experience an excellent run of form, starting 25 of his 27 appearances and winning four man-of-the-match awards. He played a key role in the side reaching both the Heineken Champions Cup and the Guinness Pro14 semi-finals.

Munster Rugby Head Coach Johann van Graan today paid tribute to the retiring Christchurch-born player:

“I saw Tyler for the first time playing for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and he caught my eye immediately. It was an absolute privilege to not only coach him but to learn more about him and discover what a fantastic rugby player and man he is. He has played a huge role for Munster Rugby, not only on the field but also off the field, and he will be sorely missed.

“It was a pleasure to coach him, and I believe he has a very bright future ahead, and will do very well if he moves into coaching. I wish Tyler, Laura, Bodhi and their growing family the very best in life.”

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