United Kingdom
Business

A scandal over Japan's successful bid for the 1998 Winter Olympics has flared up again when a major newspaper reported hard evidence had been found that Nagano spent millions of dollars on lavish entertainment as part of its bidding campaign.

Events

It told the Monopolies and Mergers Commission - which is currently investigating the proposed #623 million bid at the direction of the British Government - it should prevent such take-overs as it would…

European soccer body UEFA says it is to plough 35 million Swiss francs ($23.57 million) back into the sport this season.
Business

The 20 English Premier League soccer clubs generated a combined turnover of #569.2 million - a growth of 23% - in 1997-98, according to Gerry Boon, chairman of the Football Industry Team at Deloitte & Touche.
Business

The first stadium to be purpose built for major professional soccer in the US opened on Saturday.
Business

English Premier League soccer club Chelsea has lifted another trophy to go with the silverware in its boardroom cabinet - it has become the first British football club to be awarded a business kitemark for the quality of its management.

IMG has teamed up with Barry Neville Sports Management to bring a host of international sporting stars under the same roof.

The attraction of English soccer giant Manchester United is spreading yet further with news that both Sydney and Melbourne in Australia are to have a merchandise store devoted to the club next year.
Business

The English Football Association has offered leading club Manchester United an unprecedented opportunity to ease its fixture schedule - in a move aimed at enhancing the countries claims to hosting the 2006 World Cup.
Business

In a move aimed to ensure Europe's elite clubs have a say in European competition decision-making, a UEFA Club Advisory Board is to be created comprising members of some of Europe's top clubs. The clubs will co-operate with the Committee for the UEFA Club Competitions.

The British economy has reported a rise in inflation - and named last summer's soccer World Cup as the reason.
Business

The BBC's newly-appointed director general Greg Dyke intends to get live football coverage back on BBC television.

The UK's Office of Fair Trading has defended the action it brought against the English soccer Premier League - a case it lost today in London's Restrictive Practices Court.
Stadia

Those countries hoping to host soccer's 2006 World Cup have begun presenting their official bids to governing body FIFA.
Business

SportsLine Europe Limited have become the exclusive Internet sports media partner for the official Manchester United web site.

Italian first division soccer side Bologna plans to list on the bourse in Milan or London before the end of the year, club president Giuseppe Gazzoni said in an interview published on Monday.
Business

The England soccer team?s triumphant win over rivals Germany on Saturday has inspired a string of unnamed companies to approach UK soccer?s governing body the Football Association (FA) with sponsorship deals.
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Business

UK bookmaker William Hill has stopped taking bets on the hosts for golf?s 2009 Ryder Cup after a deluge of wagers on Wales.