Barcelona President JOSEP MARIA BARTOMEU participated in an MBA class at Harvard Business School on Tuesday via a video conference in which the club was presented as a case study, looking at how the organization has managed to combine global success while staying true to its local roots (Barcelona). ... Irish golfer PAUL DUNNE signed a long-term exclusive contract with Swiss sports management agency 4sports & Entertainment. His professional career will begin at the European Tour Qualifying School in Austria, followed by starts at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the British Masters and Portugal Masters on the European Tour (4Sports & Entertainment). ... TONY PARKER announced he will open a basketball academy in Lyon, France in ‘18. The total cost for the project is budgeted around €30M ($33.4M), with €4-5M ($4.5-5.5M) budgeted for the building costs. The academy will be comprised of “a practice center for pro-club Asvel, a training center, a referee school, and a small academy for students” (LE PROGRES, 9/22). ... A British national has been charged by authorities in Singapore for "committing a rash act after walking on the track during Sunday's grand prix." YOGVITAM PRAVIN DHOKIA, 27, "hopped over the barrier on Esplanade Drive and proceeded to cross the track." According to reports in Singapore, Dhokia "could not afford bail of around £7,000 ($10,760) because he is unemployed and had spent all his money travelling to the Marina Bay Circuit" (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 9/22). ... DAVID CAMERON met the English men and women's cricket team "following a summer of Ashes exploits, with the PM hosting a welcome reception at 10 Downing Street." England captain ALASTAIR COOK led his side to a 3-2 victory over Australia in the Test series. The women's team came out "second best as Australia regained the Ashes for the first time in five years (London DAILY MAIL, 9/22).
ALONSO SPEAKS OUT: Bayern Munich midfielder XABI ALONSO issued a statement denying allegations of tax evasion and "insisting he has always acted in accordance with the law." Alonso "had not paid taxes on image rights and an investigation had been opened." Alonso tweeted, "Following the information published today by the newspaper El Mundo on Xabi Alonso and the Tax Office, the player states the following: 1. Clarify absolutely that he has always complied with each and every one of his tax obligations. 2. The player always acted to defend his interests, and, as is logical, respects the decision of the Court. 3. Of course, the player will use the measures he deems necessary to prove that all tax obligations have been fulfilled, transparently and adhering to the law" (FOOTBALL ESPANA, 9/22).
