Yutang Weekly (2016.2.29-3.6)

Euro2016 launches hospitality plan in China

Shankai Sports and the French Embassy in China held a joint press conference in Beijing on Wednesday to announce a Euro2016 hospitality plan and new special visa policy for Euro2016. At the press conference, the French Embassy in China announced that a more accessible visa policy will be adopted to encourage a greater number of Chinese fans to visit France during the Euro 2016. Chinese fans will be able to apply for Euro2016 visas (which have a shorter checklist) from 10 March. In addition to this, Chinese applicants who take part in Euro2016’s official hospitality plan will get VIP services when applying for the travel visa.

IMG scores global TV rights to CSL

According to SportsPro Media, IMG, a global sports, other events and talent management company headquartered in New York City, has secured the exclusive global television rights to the Chinese Super League (CSL) for two years from rights holder CSM. The deal excludes mainland China, where Ti'ao Power's US$1.25 billion deal sees it retain exclusivity, while the internet streaming rights in several other territories, including China, the US, Canada and Hong Kong, are held by Le Eco's sporting arm, Le Sports.

United and City set to face off in China friendly

Manchester United and Manchester City will meet in a pre-season friendly in China this summer, the Manchester Evening News reports. The clubs' chief executives, Ed Woodward and Ferran Soriano, were photographed leaving the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane, along with Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, Arsenal's Ivan Gazidis and Liverpool chief Ian Ayre.

CSL names TAG Heuer official timekeeper

Chinese Super League (CSL) has announced a partnership with TAG Heuer at the Bird’s Nest, which will see the Swiss watch brand become the official timekeeper and watch partner of the CSL, according to a report on Sina Sports. “We’re honored that the CSL select TAG Heuer as official timekeeper and watch (partner)”, Pan Jinji, General Manager of TAG Heuer Greater China, “the partnership between TAG Heuer and CSL will bring our brand to a broader platform and help more young people fell the core spirit that TAG Heuer holds.”

Rousseff Weibo account to promote Olympics in China

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has opened an account on China’s leading social network Weibo to promote Rio de Janeiro's upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games among almost 600 million users in the far eastern country, official sources announced last week. Rousseff opened the account last Wednesday and in less than 24 hours she had over 1,000 followers, according to state-run Agencia Brasil.

FFF and Chinese FA sign collaboration agreement

The governing body of association football in France, Fédération Française de Football (FFF) and the Chinese Football Association (CFA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the FIFA Extraordinary General Meeting held on the evening of February 26 in Zurich Harlan Stadium where Gianni Infantino was elected as FIFA’s new president.

Sina Sports agrees deal with America’s Cup

China’s Sina Sports has announced a strategic partnership with the America’s Cup, the oldest international sporting trophy. Under the agreements, Sina Sports becomes the official digital media partner of America’s Cup in China. It will enable Chinese audiences to follow extended coverage of America’s Cup sailing races, including “exclusive interviews, articles, pictures, highlights, behind-the-scenes content”, according to the announcement.