Industry Shorts: EA Sports, World Rugby, Lionesses
EA SPORTS will host a new FIFA 20 series, the Stay and Play Cup, which will feature professional footballers from 20 European teams representing their respective clubs in an online tournament.
Featuring the likes of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Tottenham’s Serge Aurier and Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta, the event will take place over five days, starting on 15th April and ending with the final on the 19th.
As part of the initiative, EA says it will donate $1 million to Global Giving’s Coronavirus Relief Fund. The tournament will also feature ways for fans and viewers to donate and support global efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
World Rugby has confirmed that current Chairman Bill Beaumont and current Vice-Chairman Augustin Pichot have both been nominated for the position of Chairman.
The annual meeting of the World Rugby Council will take place on 12th May, 2020 and will announce the winner.
Meanwhile, Bernard Laporte, President, French Rugby Federation (FFR), has been nominated and proposed by the RFU for the post of Vice-Chairman.
Members of the England’s women’s football team have joined the #PlayersTogether initiative, a group of Premier League players who are donating funds to provide support to NHS Charities Together during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a similar fashion to the announcement by the Premier League stars, the Lionesses each tweeted letters detailing their support of the charities. Captain Steph Houghton said the decision was taken by the players, who discussed the best way to get involved in the campaign.
The team will make a collective donation to the fund.
Bournemouth have become the third Premier League club to reverse their decision to furlough staff.
The club’s Board of Directors said that its intentions were ‘well-placed’, however it had reversed its decision after listening to the opinions of its supporters.
Newcastle United are on the verge of a takeover, according to multiple reports which suggest that owner Mike Ashley has entered into a charge agreement with businesswoman Amanda Staveley.
Staveley is said to be fronting the bid, which also involves Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Arsenal have become the latest Premier League club to launch an official TikTok account.
The club currently has more than 70 million followers across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter, but says it is aiming to reach younger fans by turning to TikTok.
With the launch of the new channel, Arsenal is promising its fans exclusive access to first-team stars, behind-the-scenes content, current trends, challenges and exclusive mini-series, as well as memorable goals and celebrations.
