Barcelona had an application to establish an academy near Copenhagen "turned down" by the Danish FA (DBU). The DBU rejected the move for the academy, aimed at children aged six to 16, on the grounds that "the plans conflict with the Danish regulations for the protection of children." These "aim to safeguard children’s well-being, happiness and security" (London GUARDIAN, 4/28). ... EPL side West Bromwich Albion set a deadline of May 31 "for interested parties to purchase the club." Chair Jeremy Peace wants a sale for around £150M ($230M) "to be completed so it does not impact on summer transfer dealings." Groups from the Far East and U.S. are keen, "with some already performing due diligence" (BBC, 4/27). ... Liverpool announced record numbers visiting the Anfield Tour and Museum with nearly 200,000 passing through the door in the last 12 months, an increase of 50,000 on the previous year’s total. The club’s visitor attractions welcomed more tourists from Ireland, Norway, Spain, Australia, and the U.S than any other countries. August represented the busiest month, with over 23,000 visiting (Liverpool). ... There is confusion over Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol's bid for AC Milan, as he "has left the city before a planned meeting." It was expected that he would meet with AC Milan President Silvio Berlusconi at Arcore on Wednesday "to discuss a possible sale" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 4/28). ... Sales of Scottish Championship side Hibernian season tickets are already up 10% year-on-year. With the club still to take on Falkirk in the final game of the Scottish Championship season as well as negotiate the play-offs in its bid to return to Scottish football’s top flight, "more than 5,000 season tickets have already been snapped up by Easter Road fans." The club has already promised that money generated from the sale of season tickets -- which have had prices slashed by an average of 5% -- "will go directly to Alan Stubbs’ first team plans for next season" (SCOTSMAN, 4/28).
