France ban alcohol near Euro 2016 venues after violence; England, Russia receive disqualification warnings

June 13, 2016

Paris, Jun 13: After three days of drunken violence among fans — mostly between traveling English and Russian supporters — in the southern city of Marseille, the French government on Sunday announced a ban on alcohol near Euro 2016 venues and fan zones.

France

Confirming the new development, France's Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said, "I have asked for all necessary measures to be taken to prohibit the sale, consumption and transport of alcoholic drinks in sensitive areas on match days and the day before, and on days when fan zones are open."

Earlier on the day, UEFA warned both Russia and England to control their respective fans or face the prospect of disqualification from the European Championship finals.

The UEFA executive committee made a public "warning" in a statement which expressed "disgust for the violent clashes which occurred in the city of Marseille" this weekend.

On top of any punishment ordered by an investigation committee, the executive committee said "it will not hesitate to impose additional sanctions on the Football Association (FA) and the Russian Football Union (RFU), including the potential disqualification of their respective teams from the tournament, should such violence occur again."

Dozens of people were hurt in three days of clashes in Marseille and at the Stade Velodrome after the England-Russia match on Saturday which ended in a 1-1 draw.

UEFA earlier charged Russia with misconduct over the role of its fans in the unrest.

Russia was charged with crowd disturbances, racist behaviour and letting off fireworks.

The result of the inquiry and sanctions are to be announced on Tuesday.

Russia`s next game is in Lille, northern France, on Wednesday against Slovakia. England`s next Group B game against Wales in nearby Lens on Thursday has been classed as a high-risk game by the French authorities.

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March 22,2024

IPL.jpg

The start of the world’s most lucrative cricket tournament in India is presenting investors with another big opportunity to cash in on the sport, months after the world’s most populous nation hosted the Cricket World Cup.

The eight-week long Indian Premier League begins March 22 for its 17th season. Since its inception, the fast-paced cricket tournament has become a corporate juggernaut to rival the National Football League in the US and the English Premier League in value.

Just as October’s Cricket World Cup boosted consumption in India for months, fans are expected to flock to restaurants, pubs and food delivery platforms over the duration of the tournament. This year’s IPL also coincides with general elections that will last for six weeks starting April 19, a period when companies are expecting higher food and drink sales as people flock to rallies and other events.

“There’s going to be a lot of spending,” said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Bank of Baroda. “IPL, as well as the election, gives a three-month corridor with enhanced economic activity.”

Stocks in India such as McDonald’s franchise operator Westlife Foodworld Ltd. and peer Sapphire Foods India Ltd. gained ahead of the first match on Friday, as well as hotels and beverage makers. Packaged-food companies could also stand to benefit from the IPL craze, said Sachil Bobade, an analyst at investment firm Dolat Capital Market.

The IPL ecosystem was valued at $11 billion (Rs 91,721 crores) in 2023, including the value of media rights and sponsorships, according to Indian valuation consulting firm D&P Advisory.

The league is also attracting record sums of money from sponsors and broadcasters. Conglomerate Tata Group won the title sponsorship rights of the tournament in January for a record 25 billion rupees ($300 million). Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s media venture secured the digital streaming rights in 2022 for five years for $2.7 billion, while Walt Disney Co. paid roughly the same for TV rights.

“There was a serious amount of bidding even this year,” said Vinit Karnik, head of entertainment, esports and sports at media agency GroupM South Asia. “I see growth in IPL in double digits year-on-year,” he adds.

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