Italian champions Juventus said they have struck a sponsorship deal with adidas estimated to be €140 million for six years starting summer 2015.
Adidas are set to become technical sponsors for all the Juventus teams and they will also control the licensing and merchandising for the Bianconeri for €6m.
“Juventus FC has reached an agreement with adidas International Marketing B.V. for a technical sponsorship deal starting from the 2015/2016 campaign,” a club statement said.
“The club may also benefit from additional royalty payments.”
Until June 30, 2015, Juve will continue to don Nike apparel.
Moratti could keep Inter role
Massimo Moratti has revealed Inter’s new owners have offered him the possibility to remain as president of the club.
Moratti, who had owned Inter for the last 18 years, last week sold a majority stake of Inter to Indonesian company International Sports Capital, led by billionaire Erick Thohir.
“Having been used to a certain role, it’s difficult to assume another one,” Moratti said.
“We are talking to the new owners and they courteously have asked me to remain as president. We will see.”
Counter is key to Clasico win
The swift counter attack could be Real Madrid’s most effective weapon in today’s ‘Clasico’ at Barcelona as it will be hard to boss possession against their arch rivals, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said yesterday.
Victory for Real would put them level on 25 points from 10 matches and represent Barca’s first reverse this season.
“The counter attack is one weapon we can use against Barca,” Ancelotti, taking charge of his first Clasico, said.
“It’s difficult to wrest the ball from them and the important thing is that when we have it we do something positive and if there is space counter attacks.”
Toure praised over World Cup threat
Yaya Toure has been praised by Europe’s leading anti-discrimination group for raising the prospect of black players boycotting the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
UEFA has charged CSKA Mos-cow over the alleged racist behaviour of its fans towards Toure during the Champions League match against Manchester City on Wednesday.
Piara Powar, executive director of anti-discrimination group FARE, said Toure was right to raise the issue of a boycott.
Powar said: “I wouldn’t blame them – in this era players are the most powerful force and if all African players said they are not going there wouldn’t be a World Cup, or if there was it would be meaningless.”
Fabregas: Arsenal is in my heart
Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has stressed his love for former club Arsenal and indicated he would consider a future role at the Emirates Stadium.
The 26-year-old spent eight years with the Gunners, before returning to Catalonia and his boyhood club two years ago for an initial £25.5 million after a protracted transfer saga.
Fabregas said: “Arsenal is in my heart and always will be.
“I don’t know if I’ll have the opportunity to go back and play there one day, or maybe after football.
“It’s a club that will always open its doors to me.
“The club’s like a family so, even if it wasn’t as a coach, I’m sure they’d give me the chance to play a role.”
Barca, Gatorade agree sponsorship
Barcelona have agreed a three-year global sponsorship deal with PepsiCo Inc’s sports nutrition unit Gatorade, the Spanish champions said.
Partnership benefits for Barcelona will include the use of Gatorade’s products at their Nou Camp stadium and news conferences, the club said in a statement.
They will also have access to the company’s laboratory and testing facilities, which will provide support and advice for the Barcelona players, they added.
Gatorade’s other partners in sport include Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt and women’s tennis world number one Serena Williams.
Torino intend to keep D’Ambrosio
Torino are not interested in parting with defender Danilo D’Ambrosio whose contract expires in June next year.
Speculation is rife in Italy that 25-year-old D’Ambrosio is on his way out of Torino with Napoli mentioned as his next destination.
However, club sporting director Gianluca Petrachi said Torino will offer D’Ambrosio a new contract before he could leave on a free transfer.
Petrachi said: “We want to make Danilo understand that the best thing for him at this stage of his career would be to continue here at Torino.
“For sure, there will soon be some developments in his con-tract talks.”