Europe

Officials in the German city of Oberhof have stated their concern that delays over plans for the redevelopment of an arena will harm its bid to host the 2020 or 2021 Biathlon World Championships.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has announced the Spanish Liga football club’s planned 2016 elections will be brought forward to this summer to reduce the “tension” surrounding the Catalan giant.

The Belgian Grand Prix appears set to remain on the Formula One calendar beyond this year after Jean-Claude Marcourt, Economics Minister for the region of Walloon, gave his approval for a contract extension of the race at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Six Nations chief executive John Feehan has said there is no prospect of the national team rugby union tournament being switched from its annual February-March slot.

Premiership team London Welsh has said it is prepared to take legal action over the uneven distribution of funds in English rugby union’s top division.

Almaty and Beijing today (Tuesday) submitted their candidature files for the hosting rights to the 2022 winter Olympic Games, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stating work will continue to reflect the reforms implemented by ‘Agenda 2020’ in their respective masterplans.

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio has said he hopes to win approval this year for a reduction in the size of Serie A from 20 to 18 clubs, stating the move will help address an “implosion” of the domestic football system.

International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) president Rene Fasel has stated Beijing is the favourite to win the race for the 2022 winter Olympic Games.

Rangers have rejected a takeover bid from Robert Sarver but extended an invitation for the US businessman to invest in the Scottish Championship football club.

The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) is to relocate the 2015 edition of its Senior World Championship to the US state of Ohio following the decision by the Swedish capital of Stockholm to withdraw as host city.

Embattled Scottish football giant Rangers has confirmed it has received an £18m (€22.6m/$28.1m) takeover approach from American businessman Robert Sarver, owner of NBA basketball franchise the Phoenix Suns.

Czech tennis star Petra Kvitova has been announced as a global athlete ambassador for the Right to Play foundation, while her WTA Tour counterpart Caroline Wozniacki has been dropped from an endorsement deal with Scandinavian fashion brand JBS.

Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has said the local organising committee (LOC) for the 2018 Fifa World Cup will have a budget deficit this year, as the country continues to face up to its financial problems.

English Premier League football team West Ham United has announced a record group profit before tax of £10.3m (€12.9m/$16.1m) for the 2013-14 season, as co-owner David Sullivan revealed plans to sell a 20-per-cent stake in the club to new investors.

British tennis star Andy Murray has agreed a new long-term deal with sportswear company Under Armour.