United Kingdom
Media

Specialist internet group Play-Sport New Media has joined forces with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in a new on-line cricket venture to provide an extensive internet network for amateur cricketers and their cricketing communities.
Stadia

If their faces don't fit, fans will be arrested on the spot at Euro 2000 but organisers believe a zero tolerance policy will ensure a trouble-free tournament.
Business

Organisers of England's bid to host the 2006 World Cup have shrugged off a report claiming South America had offered its backing to rival bidders South Africa.
Stadia

Glasgow Rangers is about to embark on pilot tests for a Smartcard system which will allow supporters to access Ibrox Stadium through the turnstiles on a matchday by simply passing their card over a reader.
Media

Paddy Power, Ireland?s largest bookmaker, is to launch an online betting service and plans to open betting shops in the UK?s big city centres.
Business

Euro 2000 organisers say they are concerned at the scale of demand for tickets on the black market but insist it will not undermine their strict security plans.

ESPN International has acquired a package of more than fifty 2002 World Cup qualifying matches from the European group, including matches involving England, Italy, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Norway, Croatia, Yugoslavia, Denmark and Portugal.
Business

Britain has urged the Belgian and Dutch hosts of Euro 2000 to get tough on English thugs and prevent an ugly new outbreak of violence at this summer's festival of football.

Sports.com has been chosen as the exclusively designated Official Sports Partner of Wimbledon.org for the All England Tennis Club.
Stadia

India's largest private internet service provider Satyam Infoway Ltd has taken a 25 percent stake in Cricinfo Ltd and expects revenue of $2.0 million over the next year from the deal.
Business

The official website of Euro2000 is preparing for almost inevitable 'denial of service' attacks by hackers during the course of the upcoming Tournament according to project's engineers.
Stadia

Euro 2000 organisers have rejected outright suggestions from FIFA chief Sepp Blatter that the England-Germany clash on June 17 should be moved from the stadium in Charleroi for safety reasons.
Sponsorship & Marketing

Kevin Roberts in Hanover

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has criticised Europe for fielding two competing World Cup 2006 bids and has offered encouraging words to the Brazilian bid team.
Media

Reports that a major UK soccer club has been the subject of a stake-holding bid from a leading international sports marketing company have been rebutted.
Media

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said a venue switch for the Euro 2000 match between England and Germany from the small Belgian stadium of Charleroi should be considered to minimise the risk of crowd trouble.
Events

Benfica, the leading Portuguese soccer club wants to recapitalise itself and is set to announce plans to offer up to 25 per cent to outside investors.
Events

Senior executives of UK sports video-on-demand company VNL Sports are describing a new deal with ESPN as a turning point for the company.