One of football’s great traditions appears to be about to end as it’s been reported that Barcelona are in negotiations concerning their first-ever shirt sponsorship deal.One of football’s great traditions appears to be about to end as it’s been reported that Barcelona are in negotiations concerning their first-ever shirt sponsorship deal.

Barcelona-based sports paper El Mundo Deportivo has today reported that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has travelled to China to attempt to conclude a deal with Chinese authorities that would see the Catalonia side promote the 2008 Beijing Olympics from next season.

If successfully concluded, the five-year deal would be worth at least 19 million euros a season with additional bonuses based on results.

It is thought that, after the Olympics, Barca would then promote the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.

Marc Ingla, vice-president of marketing and media, told radio station RAC 1: “In the last few hours we have received an invitation from the Chinese government.

“The aim is to discuss some final details that we have yet to resolve, but we are ready to make rapid progress too. We may or may not return with an agreement, but what is clear is that the quality and quantities involved in the deal are very important.”

Barcelona made a short pre-season tour of China last year and are expected to make a return visit in August.

If the deal goes through, Athletic Bilbao will be the only Primera Liga side that doesn’t feature advertising on their shirts. They did promote the Basque regional government during some of their matches in the UEFA Cup this season.

In the week of his 30th birthday, David Beckham has plenty of cause for celebration while the Premiership title isn’t Jose Mourinho’s only consolation following last night’s Champions League defeat against Liverpool.In the week of his 30th birthday, David Beckham has plenty of cause for celebration while the Premiership title isn’t Jose Mourinho’s only consolation following last night’s Champions League defeat against Liverpool.

France Football Magazine has issued its annual Football Rich List and the Real Madrid star and Chelsea boss head the list of players and coaches. Their figures are based on estimated annual earnings from wages and commercial endorsements

PLAYERS
1. David Beckham, Real Madrid, €25 million (£17 million)
2. Ronaldo, Real Madrid, €19.6m (£13.3m)
3. Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid, €13m (£8.8m)
4. Christian Vieiri, Internazionale, €12m (£8.2m)
5. Alessandro Del Piero, Juventus, €9.5m (£6.5m)
6. Frank Lampard, Chelsea, €9.4m (£6.4m)
7. Raul, Real Madrid, €9.3m (£6.3m)
8. Thierry Henry, Arsenal, €9.2m (£6.3m)
9. John Terry, Chelsea, €8.6m (£5.9m)
10. Luis Figo, Real Madrid, €8.5m (£5.8m)

COACHES
1. Jose Mourinho, Chelsea, €7.5m (£5.1m)
2. Alex Ferguson, Manchester United, €6m (£4.1m)
3. Sven-Goran Eriksson, England, €5.8m (£3.9m)
4. Arsene Wenger, Arsenal, €4.4m (£3m)
5. Ottmar Hitzfeld, ex-Bayern Munich, €3.3m (£2.2m)
6. Fabio Capello, Juventus, €3.2m (£2.2m)
7. Jurgen Klinsmann, Germany, €3.1m (£2.1m)
8. Claudio Ranieri, ex-Valencia, €2.9m (£2m)
9. Rafael Benitez, Liverpool, €2.6m (£1.8m)
10. Alberto Zaccheroni, ex-Internazionale, €2.3m (£1.6m)

In comparison, golf’s world No1 Tiger Woods is thought to earn £45m a year. Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher is believed to be the second highest paid sportsman with £43.25m.

With only two games to play, the three clubs that came up to the Premiership at the end of last season fill the three relegation places. The perceived trend is that it’s more likely that promoted clubs will go straight back down but just how common is it for ex-Football League teams to break the first season barrier?With only two games to play, the three clubs that came up to the Premiership at the end of last season fill the three relegation places. The perceived trend is that it’s more likely that promoted clubs will go straight back down but just how common is it for ex-Football League teams to break the first season barrier?

Should Southampton survive the drop, it will be only the second time that all three promoted clubs have gone straight back down. It was Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley and Crystal Palace who suffered that quick sinking feeling in 1997-98.

Of the 11 seasons to date, there are only three other campaigns that have seen two Football League clubs make the immediate return: Crystal Palace and Leicester City in 1994-95, Nottingham Forest and Charlton Athletic in 1998-99 and Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers last season.

Overall, of the 32 clubs promoted to the Premiership, 15 have gone straight back down. So, basically, it’s a 50-50 chance that a promoted club will stay up for a second chance and still hope for West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and Norwich City.

While Sunderland are celebrating their return to the Premiership, one of their recent heroes is nearing the completion of the biggest challenge of his life.While Sunderland are celebrating their return to the Premiership, one of their recent heroes is nearing the completion of the biggest challenge of his life.

Thirteen years ago, Tony Norman was preparing for the Black Cats’ FA Cup Final appearance against Liverpool. The Welsh international keeper also made a club record of 226 consecutive league appearances for Hull City.

Having hung up the gloves, Tony became a policeman in Durham. That was until a couple of months ago when he had to retire after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition called cardiomyopathy.

At the age of 47, it’s shattering news but Tony has come out fighting in a right and proper manner… and how!

On Sunday 17 April, he began a 17-day 190-mile charity trek from St Bees in Cumbria that is due to finish at Robin Hood’s Bay on the Heritage Coast of the North York Moors tomorrow.

It’s all in aid of the Children’s Heart Federation and, before he set off, an inspiring story was taken up by Sunderland’s official web site:

It was while he was on the beat in Durham that he first noticed the breathlessness. It became so bad that he could no longer work, left him gasping for breath and needing to have three litres of fluid removed from his right lung.

“The idea came to me after I read Ian Botham’s book,” said Tony. “When the going gets tough, the knowledge that I’m doing it to help those kids in hospital will drive me on.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring Tony and making a donation to the Children’s Heart Federation should contact the address below.

Tony Norman coast-to-coast walk
c/o Carol Davidson
PO Box 142
Houghton-le-Spring DH4 7WS

Related Link:
Children’s Heart Federation