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World Sports Solutions faces collapse

The sports management company World Sports Solutions faces collapse - with owners now looking to sell-off the agency or accept a possible management buy-out.

The UK-based firm, part-owned by France and Arsenal soccer star Patrick Vieira (pictured), saw trading in its stocks suspended earlier in the week.

According to media reports, a meeting has been called for March 28 to close the business 'voluntarily'.

Launched four-years ago its collapse is being blamed on the slump in the advertising market and for over expanding into too many sports.

It is believed the company lost more than $2.88m (EUR2.66m) over the past 18 months, despite the arrival of Matthew Patten, the founder of Saatchi & Saatchi's sports marketing division, being drafted in to help restructure the business.
Floated on the AIM stock market 15 months ago, shares reached a peak of 165p in 2001. When shares were suspended earlier this week they were priced at just 12p.