Man City is welcoming the "Year of the Monkey" with the introduction of a
brand new stadium and club tour in Mandarin, which launches on Feb. 4.
The new tour "reinforces the club's commitment to the Chinese market,"
following its recent partnership with state-backed Chinese investors,
China Media Capital. Int'l guests "are to be treated to an exclusive 90
minute tour of the stadium accompanied by a native Mandarin speaking
guide, allowing fans to immerse themselves in all aspects of the club's
past, including the not-so-glory years" (London DAILY MAIL, 1/19). ... The father of Manuel Godoy believes that Real Madrid "tried to hide" its involvement with his son during FIFA's investigation into the club.
Madrid, along with city rival Atlético, was last week "banned from registering players" during the summer '16 and winter '17 windows for breaking youth transfer rules, although the La Liga clubs "denied any wrongdoing" and said they will appeal (ESPN, 1/19). ... There "is some good news and bad news about the negotiations between Fininvest and Bee Taechaubol." The good news "is that the Thai broker will meet Silvio Berlusconi at Arcore on Tuesday."
The bad news is that the meeting will not "be a decisive one to bring the negotiations to a close," and that Fininvest's representatives were not able to make much headway in its negotiations with Taechaubol in Shenzen. Taechaubol wants to update Berlusconi "on the latest developments in his search for investors, and to clear up exactly who he is bringing in" (CALCIOMERCATO, 1/17).
