Source: Daily_Mail
CHARLES SALE: Wealth of interest in Premier League football
The Premier League's massive popularity around the globe will be reflected in a bonanza increase in overseas rights to consolidate the league as the richest in the world.[LNB]On top of the near £2billion the domestic market paid for three years of Premier League football starting next season, the in-house negotiating team are on course to bring in a further £1bn from foreign markets in an estimated 40 per cent plus increase on the current £625m over three years, despite the depressed financial climate.[LNB] Global gains: The Premier League's massive popularity is set to consolidate its standing as the richest league in world football[LNB]With lucrative Chinese and European deals still to be signed before theoverseas process is completed in January, the League are alreadycelebrating a Middle East contract that tripled to £300m and aSingapore deal worth £230m.[LNB] And with the Premier League in such a healthy financial position,perhaps a few million in cash could be allocated to fund thecash-strapped England 2018 campaign. [LNB]Premier League funding for the bid announced last week - perimeteradvertising boards, website content, player appearances and clubhospitality - is all in kind.[LNB] If any more evidence was needed to support former England rugbyhooker Brian Moore's total unsuitability to be a sports columnist onthe Daily Telegraph, it came with his unacceptable 'thalidomide'description of a Mike Teague try on Radio 5 Live on Saturday. [LNB]It'sdifficult to see how Moore can carry on writing his gobbledygook, orwork for the BBC as a pundit, with such a loose cannon mentality.Moore's statement afterwards - 'Quite simply, I shouldn't have madethem. I can't apologise enough' - suggests he knows the game is up.[LNB] Cesare Maldini (right) a former Italy coach now employed as one of Al Jazeera's pundits, was famous for his jet black dyed hair. [LNB]Now 77, the father of iconic Italian player Paolo is still using the hair dye, although now it's a shade of brown.[LNB] There is no way disciplinarian England manager Fabio Capello would let his players sit out in the strong sun in Qatar on a match day. However, serious sun lover Fabio could be spotted on a lounger by the pool at the England hotel soaking up the rays while reading a newspaper at 8.30am on Saturday morning with the heat already at cooking level.[LNB] Simon Greenberg, Chelsea's departing director of public affairs, is expected to take a senior role with England's 2018 World Cup bid with responsibility for communications. But news of his arrival didn't seem to have reached the bid's media team, who did not know about it.[LNB] Qatar's laser equationThe Qatar 2022 World Cup bid with their extraordinary campaign fund of £180m have made the most of having international media in Doha for the England v Brazil game. [LNB]But it did smack of one spin too many when it was claimed fans throwing huge numbers of glow tubes meant to enhance the pre-match laser show on to the littered pitch surrounds was a tradition in Doha's Khalifa Stadium. [LNB]It happened during the Asian Games there as well.[LNB] England's 2018 bid leader Lord Triesman (right) has re-structured the board for a more slimline, unified approach. But there was a two-tier seating plan for the bid high command at the Khalifa Stadium.[LNB] Lord Triesman sat on one of the thrones in the front row of the VIP area that were expected to be the preserve of Qatar's ruling family, while Sir Dave Richards, chairman of the Premier League, only had an armchair in the row behind.[LNB] The Ricky Hatton boxing promotion in Stoke last Friday was a controversial affair. [LNB]Two boxers were sent home without fighting due to their behaviour at the hotel, while a boxing connection - who didn't want to be named - alleged some fighters had to vacate hotel rooms at 11am and then hang around until the evening show. [LNB] Hatt's entertainment: Ricky Hatton's promotion, which featured brother Matthew's draw against Lovemore Ndou (R), proved controversial both in and out of the ring[LNB]But Gareth Williams, chief executive of Hatton promotions, said: 'It's absolute nonsense, no one complained about the hotel arrangements. It's just rivals trying to make trouble as usual. The person who made those claims is unhinged.'[LNB] More from Charles Sale... CHARLES SALE: Lord Triesman insists - I'm still FIFA's ideal man to lead England's World Cup 2018 bid13/11/09 Charles Sale: Sports last in line for Davies listed TV report12/11/09 Lord Triesman's calamitous 2018 campaign team dodge the big issues12/11/09 Charles Sale: St James' Park rebrand fails to register @ Newcastle11/11/09 EXCLUSIVE: 2018 World Cup crisis summit called as Caborn faces axe11/11/09 CHARLES SALE: 2018 World Cup might bypass Liverpool10/11/09 CHARLES SALE: Jet-set David Beckham divides 2018 World Cup bid team10/11/09 CHARLES SALE: Lines drawn over TV rights report08/11/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE [LNB] Explore more:People:Ricky Hatton, Fabio Capello, Brian Moore, Simon GreenbergPlaces:Singapore, United Kingdom, Italy, Brazil, Qatar, Middle East
