■SOCCER
Barclays renew sponsorship
Barclays have renewed their sponsorship of the English Premier League for a further three years until 2012-2013 in a deal worth £82.25 million (US$136.9 million), the Premier League said on Friday. The deal, which is a 25 percent increase on the previous three-year contract, will run from the 2010-2011 season to the end of the 2012-2013 season. “We are extremely pleased that our long established partnership with Barclays will continue for a further three seasons,” Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said in a statement. The Premier League is currently broadcast across 211 territories to more than 500 million homes.
■SOCCER
Bilic to stay on as coach
Slaven Bilic will stay on as Croatia coach for their Euro 2012 campaign despite failing to take them to next year’s World Cup, the country’s soccer association said on Friday. Bilic had initially planned to step down after the World Cup campaign when his contract expired, but reconsidered his decision because of the support he received from players, the soccer federation and pundits. He will sign a new contract next week. “We’re happy with this development,” FA president Vlatko Markovic said after the executive committee approved his proposal that Bilic continue in the post. Plagued by injuries and poor form of key players, Croatia finished third behind England and Ukraine in their World Cup qualifying group.
■ATHLETICS
US team to use Birmingham
The US track and field team for the 2012 London Olympics will use Birmingham as their training base before the Games. Birmingham’s local government said USA Track & Field has agreed to base the team in Britain’s so-called “second city” for six weeks ahead of the Olympics. Birmingham City Council said it signed a memorandum of understanding with USA Track & Field in February last year before resuming talks when the US team reviewed its requirements after last year’s Beijing Olympics. The deal was eventually completed after three years of negotiations.
■RUGBY UNION
Phillips out for four months
Wales suffered a Six Nations setback on Friday when scrumhalf Mike Phillips was virtually ruled out of the start of the tournament after undergoing surgery to repair his damaged ankle ligaments. The 27-year-old Ospreys and Lions player was already expected to miss the autumn internationals, but is now likely to be out for four months.
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