adminBEIJING — China’s Wanda Group has agreed to buy Infront — the Swiss sports marketing group headed by Fifa president Sepp Blatter’s nephew and which holds some broadcasting rights to the World Cup — for €1,05 billion, the two firms said yesterday. The Chinese property and entertainment conglomerate is looking to increase its influence in the global sports business, as Beijing bids for the 2022 Winter Olympics while rumours swirl that it could seek to host the 2026 football World Cup.
Wanda chairman Wang Jianlin said in a joint statement that Infront “is best positioned to actively support China in its bidding efforts for major sports events”.
At a news conference following the announcement, he also cited Chinese President Xi Jinping’s three-step plan for developing football in China: “To qualify for a World Cup, to host a World Cup and to win a World Cup.” — AFP.
Online Reporter