DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Rossi sees Reynolds' winning touch boosting Alpine
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ENSTONE, England, June 27 (Reuters) - Renault-owned Alpine believe Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds has the Midas Touch to help get the team back to the top in Formula One. "Most of you were probably expecting Ryan Reynolds," Otro Capital founder and partner Alec Scheiner jokingly told analysts at Alpine's Enstone factory for a strategy presentation. Alpine chief executive Laurent Rossi pointed to Reynolds' track record in business. Rossi said the investors, who have paid 200 million euros ($218.88 million), would develop revenues through merchandising, licensing and hospitality. The deal values Alpine Racing at around $900 million and Rossi said the numbers were only going up.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Alec Scheiner, Laurent Rossi, Rossi, Otro, Goldman Sachs, Gerry Cardinale, RedBird, Scheiner, Luca de Meo, Alan Baldwin, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Renault, Formula, Wrexham soccer, Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, Aviation, Mobile US, Ka'ena Corp, Mint Mobile, Diageo, Gin, Wrexham, English Football League, RedBird, Fenway Sports Group, Premier League, Liverpool, Boston Red Sox baseball, Toulouse, Milan, Liberty Media, Thomson Locations: ENSTONE, England, Wrexham, RedBird, Americas, Las Vegas, U.S

☆ Wrexham's Hollywood owners join group buying into Alpine F1
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, June 26 (Reuters) - Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are joining Otro Capital and RedBird Capital Partners in an investor group taking a 24% equity stake in Alpine Racing, the Formula One team's parent company Renault announced on Monday. The 200 million euro ($218.10 million) deal values British-based Alpine Racing at around $900 million following the investment. Alec Scheiner, the co-founder and partner of Otro Capital, will join Alpine Racing's board of directors. Renault said Alpine Racing SAS, the French entity that makes the team's power units in Viry-Châtillon, will remain entirely owned by the carmaker. "Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners and Maximum Effort Investments, as international players with strong track record in the sports industry, will bring their recognised expertise to boost our media and marketing strategy, essential to support our sporting performance over the long term.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Alec Scheiner, Reynolds, Michael B, Jordan, McElhenney, Renault, Huntsman, Goldman Sachs, Gerry Cardinale, RedBird, Laurent Rossi, Alan Baldwin, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, Alpine Racing, Renault, Otro, Alpine, McElhenney, Wrexham, Welsh soccer, English Football League, Main Street Advisors, Fenway Sports Group, Premier League, Liverpool, Boston Red Sox baseball, Toulouse, AC Milan, New York Yankees, Formula, Benetton, Alpine Racing SAS, Thomson Locations: Alpine, Philadelphia, Wrexham, North America, Enstone, England, Viry

☆ Is Karim Benzema about to be the first of many soccer superstars to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —French soccer player Karim Benzema has played his last game for Real Madrid and may soon be joining the great Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. Saudi’s state-run Ekhbariya news on Sunday reported that Benzema and the Saudi Al Ittihad club had reached an agreement on a two-season contract. The Frenchman could be the first of many established star names to join Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League next season. In an interview with the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo last week said that he was happy in Saudi Arabia and encouraged other players to join him. According to Saudi state-owned media, Ronaldo will earn an estimated $200 million a year, making him the world’s highest-paid soccer player.

Persons: Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Fabrizio Romano, “, Al, ”, ” Romano, Ballon, Carlo Ancelotti, ” Benzema, Frenchman, Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Lionel Messi –, –, Karim Djaziri Organizations: CNN, Real Madrid, Saudi Al, Sunday, Twitter, Saudi, Spanish, Ronaldo, Saudi Pro League Locations: French, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Saudi Al Ittihad, Italian, Al Ittihad, Spain, Al Hilal

CNN —French soccer team Toulouse did not select several players for its Ligue 1 game against Nantes on Sunday after they refused to participate in a league wide anti-homophobia campaign. “Although respecting the individual choices of its players, and after numerous exchanges, the Toulouse Football Club has chosen to exclude these players from the game,” the Ligue 1 club added. It extends to others, but it also encompasses respect for my own personal beliefs. This respect extends to others but also includes respect for my personal beliefs. “Given my roots, my culture, the importance of my convictions and beliefs, it was not possible for me to participate in this campaign.

☆ In a Superclub’s Shadow, Paris F.C. Tries to Raise Its Game
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Tariq Panja | James Hill | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On a frigid Saturday evening earlier this year inside the Stade Charléty, a World War II-era stadium tucked alongside a highway, the stands are barely a quarter full. Only about 3,000 fans have turned up to watch Paris F.C., a crowd so small that when the home team goes to salute its support after its victory, the players need only to go to one corner of the stadium. On Sunday, another Paris team takes the field, and fans around the world tune in to ‌watch. ‌That yawning gulf between the teams is something that the owners of Paris F.C. They argue that the Paris region, with its population of more than 12 million, deserves an elite league rivalry, the kind that courses through European cities like London and Lisbon, Madrid and Milan.

☆ French football bracing itself for Black Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Feb 27 (Reuters) - French football is bracing itself for a major shakedown as both the president of the federation (FFF) and the women's head coach are expected to resign from their positions on Tuesday. Should he refuse to step down, Le Graet, 81, could be brought before the FFF's disciplinary committee or the executive committee could resign to force new elections. According to a report in French multimedia outlet RMC Sport, Renard will not play for the national team as long as Diacre is in charge. The 48-year-old Diacre, who in 2014 became the first French woman to coach a men's team when she took charge of then Ligue 2 side Clermont, was appointed France head coach in 2017. Diacre had previously attracted criticism from other French players, including Gaetane Thiney and Sarah Bouhaddi.

☆ Alpine set out season goals and bring on Zidane
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummarySummary Companies Alpine launch new A523 car in LondonSet goal of defending fourth place and closing gap to top threePresent soccer great Zidane as brand ambassadorLONDON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Renault-owned Alpine set out their goals for the Formula One season on Thursday before unveiling French soccer great Zinedine Zidane as a surprise signing. "I am very happy to be here today and happy to be part of the Alpine team," Zidane told the surprised audience in a former newspaper printing site in London's Docklands. "The gap to third was big and we've got to close that gap," said team principal Otmar Szafnauer. Ocon is in his fourth year at the team while Gasly has joined from Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri. The 23-race season starts at the Sakhir circuit on March 5, with pre-season testing there next week.

☆ Soccer mom Azarenka ordered to take off PSG shirt at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Self-described "obnoxious soccer mom" Victoria Azarenka was ordered to take off her Paris St Germain shirt at the Australian Open on Thursday before bowing out of the Grand Slam with a straight sets defeat by Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals. After an exchange of words with the chair umpire at Rod Laver Arena, Azarenka took off the PSG shirt before warming up in her regular kit against Rybakina. "They told me to take it off twice because I had a different shirt," the 22nd seed told reporters after losing 7-6(4) 6-3 to Kazakh Rybakina. "My son wore the white jersey today to his practice, and I tried to wear a white jersey to my match but couldn't. "But give me a couple of hours and I can have probably a better outlook on this month in Australia.

☆ Aramco-backed fintech opens bank branch in London to help Muslims invest
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Islamic fintech startup Wahed has opened its first physical branch on Baker Street in London. An investing platform backed by the likes of oil giant Saudi Aramco and French soccer player Paul Pogba is launching a novel proposition in the U.K.: a physical branch and bank accounts backed by gold. It is located on Baker Street in central London, just opposite a branch of U.K. banking giant HSBC. "In the United Kingdom, [the Muslim community is] actually one of the lowest socio-economic segments of the country," Wahed's boss said, with "low incomes or financial literacy." "I think it really fits with the Muslim community and what their needs are," Wahedna said.

☆ Man United, Tottenham, Liverpool takeover targets for Qatar fund - Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] General view of the United Trinity statue outside Old Trafford REUTERS/Phil NobleJan 9 (Reuters) - English Premier League clubs Manchester United Plc (MANU.N), Tottenham Hotspur, or Liverpool FC are being targeted by Qatar Sports Investments over a potential acquisition, Bloomberg News reported on Monday. Qatar Sports Investments is considering either a total takeover or a stake in Manchester United or Liverpool, according to the report. Liverpool Chairman Tom Werner also said in November that the Premier League side's owner, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), was exploring a sale of the club. Qatar Sports Investments is currently the owner of French soccer club Paris St Germain, and has a stake in Portuguese soccer club SC Braga. Manchester United and Qatar Sports Investments did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment, while Liverpool could not be immediately reached for comment.

☆ Pelé remembered for transcending soccer around world
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Pelé was remembered for a life beyond the field, for transcending the sport of soccer and becoming perhaps the most well-known person on Earth. I would say that before Pelé soccer was just a sport. He is gone, but his magic will endure.”Pelé scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches and is the only three-time world champion, winning titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Throughout his life, Pelé inspired generations of athletes and deserves every tribute.”Ronaldo, who led Brazil to a fifth World Cup title in 2002, described Pelé as “Unique. Four years ago, Mbappé became only the second teenager — after Pelé — to score a goal in a World Cup final.

☆ How Gerry Cardinale became the go-to dealmaker for the likes of the Yankees, AC Milan, and Ben Affleck
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | Dakin Campbell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

He bought the soccer club AC Milan in August, earning the attention of the Italian press. This past spring, AC Milan won its first national title in 11 years. Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images Show less Cardinale at a training session for AC Milan. For instance, the teams sell each other's merchandise in their stadiums, and the YES Network airs AC Milan games. "Now we have a new phase of expansion and internationalization of AC Milan with Gerry."

☆ The Joy of Kylian Mbappé
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Jason Gay | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Is there anything more joyful in sports than watching an athlete who is the very best in the world at what they do, who is living up to that ridiculous hype and mantle and all of its associated pressure, and delivering? Shorter version: Is there anything more fun than watching the French soccer sensation Kylian Mbappé in the World Cup right now?

☆ Blinken says he will support France in World Cup if U.S. team eliminated
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds a joint press availability with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna at the State Department in Washington, U.S. October 21, 2022. REUTERS/Michael A. McCoyPARIS, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State who spent much of his childhood in Paris, said he could support the French soccer team in the World Cup if the U.S. team got knocked out before the French. "I support the United States team but if they cannot make it to the very end and France manages to get there, well in that case - 'Allez Les Bleus! '," Blinken told France 2 TV, referring to the "Les Bleus" nickname for the French team. The United States play Netherlands in the first knock-out stage on Saturday, while France face Poland on Sunday.

The PSG chaiman also told Anderson that he believes media criticism of the country was down to the fact that many had not visited Qatar. The 49-year-old told Anderson that PSG would want any potential bidder to share a long-term commitment to the club. The 49-year-old told Anderson that he remains opposed to the idea, but is not against other changes. Al-Khelaifi told Anderson that PSG has a two-year contract with Messi, but will discuss his next steps after the tournament ends. Al-Khelaifi told Anderson he expected the star to be okay for the tournament’s knock-out stages, but that he needs referees to give him more protection.

☆ Fans pause action for Friday prayers during first World Cup in a Muslim country
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - As noon approached, muezzins across Qatar called Muslim soccer players, fans and officials to the first Friday prayers of the first World Cup to take place in a Muslim country. Unusually for soccer, Muslim fans say Qatar's World Cup has accommodated them like never before - with stadium prayer rooms, concessions selling halal food and no beer-swilling supporters to contend with in the stands following a stadium alcohol ban. For now, Muslim fans are just enjoying an event that caters to their needs. Ridwaan Goolam Hoosen, an avid South African soccer fan, is used to having to leave the grounds to find a prayer space, including at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. "It feels as if this World Cup is for me, it works for me, it fits for me...This is the first of its kind like this," Goolam Hoosen said.

Search resuls for: "French soccer"

16 mentions found