Sony Corp does not plan to renew its sponsorship contract with FIFA as the Japanese electronics maker needs to prioritise its restructuring efforts, Reuters reported.
Such a move would follow Emirates Airline’s announcement this month that it was ending its sponsorship of FIFA, a blow to the governing body as it investigates whether there was corruption in the bidding process for the next two World Cup competitions.
Sony has been a FIFA sponsor for the eight years to 2014 in a contract worth $280 million.
Sony said it was aiming to restructure its television and mobile divisions further.
Sandro sidelined
Brazilian midfielder Sandro will be missing from QPR’s relegation battle until after Christmas because of a knee injury.
The former Tottenham player limped off during the 1-0 defeat by Newcastle on Saturday which left the London club bottom of the table.
The injury is not related to the anterior cruciate ligament injury Sandro sustained while playing for Tottenham in 2013 which sidelined him for six months.
Heldt embarrassed by Chelsea rout
Schalke general manager Horst Heldt branded the team’s 5-0 home defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League “embarrassing” and “unacceptable”.
The Royal Blues trailed 3-0 at half-time in their Group G clash and there was no sign of a fightback in the second half as the Premier League leaders heaped on the misery. Home fans made their displeasure known and Heldt said they had every right to do so.
Held said: “We put in an embarrassing performance, never went into challenges and didn’t defend ourselves. We were deservedly thrashed… the way we lost is not acceptable.”
Schalke now need to win away to Maribor in their final match and hope Sporting Lisbon lose at Chelsea to progress to the knockout stage.
Blatter challenger still uncertain
FIFA president Sepp Blatter is expected to have a significant challenger from outside of Europe in next year’s election – but FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein has yet to decide whether to stand.
Prince Ali’s office responded to reports he is to stand against Blatter by telling the website Inside World Football the Jordanian “has not confirmed or denied” whether he will do so.
His brother, the IOC member Prince Feisal Al Hussein, said yesterday he was not aware of any such plan. Asked by PA Sport if he had heard of Prince Ali’s intentions to stand against Blatter, Prince Feisal said: “I am not aware of anything at all. He has never mentioned that to me, it has never come up.”
Aguero is a special player – Kompany
Vincent Kompany hailed Sergio Aguero as Manchester City’s “special player” after the Argentine’s hat-trick earned a rousing 3-2 comeback win over Bayern Munich in the Cham-pions League on Tuesday.
The victory resuscitated City’s hopes of qualifying for the last 16 ahead of their final Group E match against Roma.
Should the Premier League champions win in Rome on Dec. 10 and CSKA Moscow fail to beat Bayern, Manuel Pellegrini’s team will go through.
“If you want to succeed at anything you need to have a special player in special form,” Kompany said.
“Sergio Aguero is Manchester City’s special player and when he is in that form he makes things achievable.”
Fabregas, Ramos bury the hatchet
Cesc Fabregas was “pissed off” with Spain team-mate Sergio Ramos for raising doubts about his commitment to the national team but said the pair had buried the hatchet.
Midfielder Fabregas pulled out of Spain’s matches against Belarus and Germany this month citing injury, joining Chelsea team-mate Diego Costa on the sidelines. That prompted Ramos to suggest club had taken priority over country.
“Yes I felt that I was the one being alluded to and I already told Sergio what I thought,” Fabregas said.
“We spoke by telephone and everything is fine. It pisses you off when your commitment is questioned, of course it pisses you off.”
Bayern duo deserve award says Ribery
Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery believes either Manuel Neuer or Arjen Robben deserve to win the 2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or.
Both men are on the 23-strong shortlist for the award, but Cristiano Ronaldo is the favourite to win for a second straight year.
Ribery finished third in the voting last time and insisted afterwards he deserved to have won it ahead of Ronaldo for his success with Bayern.
Asked about what he expected this time around, he said: “What can I say? For me, Manuel Neuer or Arjen Robben have to win it, there are only two views.
“Manu has won everything and he’s a good person.
“Arjen played an unbelievable season and after that an excellent World Cup. But I fear that there is still a lot of politics.”