Europe

Organisers of this year’s SportAccord Convention in London have announced that a conference of senior sports law practitioners from around the world will take place as a complement to the main conference programme.

The 6,000-capacity cycling velodrome for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games became the first Olympic Park venue to open on Tuesday.

The commercial power of Barcelona and Real Madrid has elevated Spain’s La Liga to the top of the European merchandise and licensing revenue charts, according to a study by Sport+Markt and PR Marketing.

Officials trying to bring the 2018 Winter Olympics to Munich are confident that attempts to force a referendum that could scupper the German city’s bid for the Games will fail.

Manchester United has reportedly confirmed to the Premier League that the Glazer family still owns 100% of the club.

Shaila-Ann Rao has been installed as the new chief operating officer of Sportfive’s international business unit in Geneva.

Channel 4 in the UK has acquired the host broadcast rights to the 2011 BT Paralympic World Cup, which will take place in Manchester from May 23-28.

The owner of Spanish La Liga club Racing Santander is ready to come to the financial rescue of New Zealand-based Wellington Phoenix of the A-League.

The Leaders 2011 conference will take place at Stamford Bridge, the home of Barclays Premier League champion Chelsea, for a fourth consecutive year.

Santander in Spain has been selected as the host city of the 2014 Sailing World Championships, the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) announced on Sunday.

TVE and TV3 have renewed a deal to carry UEFA Champions League action in Spain from 2012-15.

The ACB Spanish basketball league has sealed new broadcast distribution deals in Italy and Singapore for the remainder of the season.

Birmingham City chairman Peter Pannu has admitted that concerns over the Barclays Premier League club’s attendances may lead to a redevelopment of St Andrew's rather than a move to a new stadium.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that European Union states are allowed to reserve major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup for free-to-air viewing on a so-called ‘crown jewels’ list.

Former Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has suffered a setback in his battle to claim financial damages over the sale of the club after a High Court judge ruled that he must bring any claims he has in the UK rather than his home country, the United States.

Almacantar has been selected as the preferred property developer lined up to renovate Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.