News round up: Random stuff

Real Madrid Honorary President Alfredo di Stefano has been named Sports Ambassador by Argentina for the Republic’s 200th anniversary in 2010. The act took place in the Argentinean Embassy of Madrid and was attended by notable personalities from the Spanish and Argentine FAs. Besides a commemorative plaque, Don Alfredo also received Argentina and Spain shirts signed by all the players of each squad.

Argentinean Ambassador Carlos Bettini presided over the act, which was attended by notables such as Argentina FA President Julio Grondona, Spanish FA Vice-President Juan Padron, Spanish FA Director of Institutional Relations Carlos Bilardo, Real Madrid Director General and Presidential Aide Jorge Valdano, and Real Madrid Director of Institutional relations Emilio Butragueño.

Lorenzo Sanz was arrested on Wednesday and charged with the illegal export of artworks linked to his failed bid to buy Italian club Parma in 2005, Spanish media reported.

The investigation into Sanz, who led Real from 1995-2000 when they twice won the European Cup, began a year ago and is ongoing, El Pais and other media reported, citing unidentified sources close to the investigation.

The 66-year-old is accused of using artworks valued at 7.5 million euros as part of his attempt to buy the Serie A club. Spanish police were not immediately able to confirm the reports. Sanz was also arrested in September 2008 after a complaint from a financial institution but released without charge.

The la Liga showdown between Barcelona and Real Madrid later this month will be shown in cinemas, broadcast rights holder Mediapro said on Thursday.

The match, known in Spain as El Clasico, is provisionally scheduled for Sunday November 29 and will be shown in Kinepolis, Yelmo and Cinesa theatres for the same price as a regular cinema entrance fee, the company said.

Real Madrid have agreed a four-year sponsorship deal with Saudi Telecom (STC) that will give STC clients access to news, photos, video and video games linked to the La Liga giants.

The deal was announced at a presentation at Real’s Bernabeu stadium on Thursday with club president Florentino Perez, STC chairman Muhammad bin Suliman Al Jasser and Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, Real said on their website. The club gave no financial details about the deal.