Sino-Europe Sports' takeover of Serie A side AC Milan "could be moved forward to mid-February." The Chinese consortium has agreed to "a deal to buy the Rossoneri, but the transaction has been hit by a series of delays." Having intended to complete a takeover before the end of '16, "the date for closing" has been pushed back to March 3, but La Stampa reported it could be done in mid-February (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 1/12).
Formula 1 team Renault was "not shocked" by Team Principal Frederic Vasseur's "sudden departure" and has "no immediate plans to replace him," Renault Sport Managing Dir Cyril Abiteboul said on Thursday. Abiteboul: "We don't feel shocked, we don't feel weakened by yesterday's announcement, which is something that had been discussed at length with Fred. The team principal role is something unique from team to team ... as far as I am concerned, we will not replace Fred in the capacity of team principal" (REUTERS, 1/12).
La Liga side Real Betis and Spanish Basketball League (ACB) club Real Betis Energía Plus -- which was known as CB Sevilla before the football club acquired shares in it in August -- announced that the La Liga side paid the "symbolic price" of €1 ($1.06) for 99.99% of the basketball team's social capital. Real Betis' shareholders "approved the move" on Dec. 30. The club said in a statement, "This move introduces the Betis brand to the best basketball league in Europe and shows the commitment of Real Betis and its shareholders to sport in our city" (AS, 1/12).
