Real Madrid, Barcelona are football's biggest moneymakers

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema. His club has again topped the list for the biggest moneymakers in football. Source: AP

REAL Madrid and Barcelona are football's biggest moneymakers for the fifth straight year, while Manchester United lost its place among the top three biggest-earning clubs for the first time.

United, which is enduring a lacklustre season under new manager David Moyes, dropped to fourth behind European champion Bayern Munich in the Football Money League compiled by accountancy firm Deloitte.
The biggest growth in 2012-13 was at Paris Saint-Germain, which leapt from 10th to 5th as the club's global profile was enhanced by David Beckham's four-month spell in the championship-winning team.
Madrid stayed top for the ninth straight year after revenue rose slightly to 518.9 million euros ($794 million), while Spanish rival Barcelona had revenues of 482.6 million euros.
"Real Madrid remain firmly at the top of the Money League, even though the club experienced a trophyless end to the 2012-13 season," said Dan Jones, a partner in the sports business group at Deloitte. "Despite tough economic conditions, particularly within Spain, the club's ability to generate substantial commercial revenue both domestically and internationally is central to their success.
"This helped widen the gap to their nearest rivals in the Money League, Barcelona, to 36 million pounds. Both Spanish clubs enjoy substantial revenue from individually negotiated broadcast deals, which is key in contributing to their overall revenue advantage over their European peers."
In Germany, Bayern's income leapt 17 per cent to 431.2 million euros as the German club won the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup.
United's growth was slower - 13 per cent to 363.2 million pounds ($677 million) - as the team collected the Premier League title before manager Alex Ferguson retired in May.
"It is the first time Manchester United have dropped out of the top three but Bayern had an exceptional year," Jones said. "Next year United will have the Chevrolet (shirt sponsorship) deal plus other new commercial deals in their figures, and the new Premier League TV deal so we are confident they will be back in the top three."
But in the Premier League, United is seventh, 14 points behind leader Arsenal, with a fight to secure one of the four Champions League spots.
"The longer term depends in part what happens on the pitch and if they do not qualify for next season's Champions League that is probably worth 50 million euros directly in terms of money from TV and attendances at Old Trafford," Jones said.
Deloitte revealed details of clubs yet to publish their 2012-13 accounts, including two of the biggest spending clubs, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, who face a challenge complying with UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations. The Gulf-owned teams have benefited from sponsorship deals related to their owners.
Income at Qatar-owned PSG soared by 180 per cent to 398.8 million euros as it won the French league for the first time in 19 years.
"We expect to see them become a mainstay in the top five in years to come, backed by their ambitious Qatari owners and strong commercial support," said Austin Houlihan of Deloitte.
"The high-profile signing of David Beckham in the second half of the 2012-13 season only served to enhance the club's worldwide profile. Importantly, commercial success off the pitch is translating into improved on-pitch performance for the club."
Man City's turnover rose by 17 per cent to 271 million pounds despite the Abu Dhabi-owned team failing to win a trophy last season.
Two Premier League rivals are directly below City, with Chelsea seeing turnover drop slightly to 260 million pounds and Arsenal's rising to 243.6 million pounds.

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Strong winds, swells and rain are battering Tonga as a cyclone reaches the Pacific Island nation. Autoplay

One person is dead in Tonga after Cyclone Ian ripped through the Pacific Island nation.

The category-five storm hit on Saturday, and there have been reports of flattened houses, felled trees and fallen power lines.
Tonga Red Cross head Sione Taumoefolau said one person died on Lifuka, an area believed to have been devastated, Matangi Tonga news website reported on Sunday.
The extent of the damage was not clear, but the islands of Ha'ano and Foa were also believed to be badly affected.
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said his country had sent a RNZAF P3 Orion aircraft, which arrived in Tonga on Sunday morning to assist with aerial assessments.
``We will also make $NZ50,000 ($A46,900) immediately available to respond to specific requests for assistance,'' he said.
Mr McCully said further support would be considered when the full extent of the damage was clear.
He said early reports suggested damage to buildings in Ha'apai, limited communications and power outages.
``Our thoughts are with the people of Tonga as they begin to come to terms with the damage caused by this cyclone,'' Mr McCully said.
Strong winds ripped from houses and public buildings have been damaged in the South Pacific nation after Cyclone Ian crossed over the archipellago today.
Telephone communications with the Ha'apai island group were cut as the storm reached its height, but local news media cites radio reports of a sea-surge on the island of Pangai which damaged the island's new fire station and the Tokaikolo Church.
Tonga's director of emergencies, Leveni Aho, had earlier cited reports of roofs ripped from homes and some major buildings - including three churches - as it moved through the Ha'apai groups of islands.
"This is one of the strongest cyclones on record in the last 50 years. We are concerned for the welfare of many people and the threats involved," he said.
The extent of the damage was still being assessed, but the destruction appeared to be less extensive than Tongans had feared from the first category-five storm they had experienced in decades.

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A fire in Quebec that has killed at least three people. Picture: Twitter/Jasmin Dumas. Source: Supplied

A FIRE at a Quebec residence for elderly people has killed three people, with 30 more missing.

The massive fire in the 52-unit complex broke out around 12:30am (4:30pm AEDT) in L'Isle-Verte, about 225 kilometres northeast of Quebec City.
Initial reports said 20 residents had been transported to safety, but it was unclear just how many residents were missing in the inferno.
Quebec Provincial Police Sgt. Ann Mathieu said Thursday authorities were trying to determine the exact number of victims and learn the cause of the blaze.
Mario Michaud, who lives across the street from the building, said he witnessed the unfolding drama shortly after midnight.
"I got up to go to the toilet and I saw smoke," Mr Michaud told local newspaper Info Dimanche.
"The fire had started on the second floor. I woke up my girlfriend and called 911. I saw the firefighters and they got to work. A woman on the second floor was shouting and she went out on to the balcony. Her son went to get a ladder but he couldn't get to her. She burned to death.''
Local chief firefighter Yvon Charron called it "a night from hell.''
The building was home to more than 50 people and also housed a social agency, a pharmacy and a hair salon.
Several fire departments in the region were called in to help extinguish the blaze, which completely destroyed the building.

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Justin Bieber arrested in Miami Beach for 'drunk road racing'

Justin Bieber has had several run-ins with police in recent years

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Justin Bieber has been arrested in Miami accused of road racing and driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs.

Miami Beach Police said the Canadian pop star was detained after racing on a street early on Thursday.
Police said he initially did not co-operate when pulled over and was charged with resisting arrest without violence.
The 19-year-old has had several run-ins with police in recent years.
The arrest comes a week after his home in Los Angeles was searched by police following allegations he had thrown eggs at his neighbour's house.
He was accused of causing significant damage to the property. One member of his entourage was arrested for alleged drug possession following the search.
In the latest incident, police said the singer had been driving a yellow Lamborghini when he was arrested in the early hours of Thursday.
The Miami Herald reported that members of the musician's entourage had apparently used their cars to block traffic on Pine Tree Drive at 26th Street, effectively creating a drag strip.
Police say the star didn't co-operate at first, questioning why he had been stopped. He also had an invalid Georgia driver's licence, officers said.

A Lamborghini, right, and a Ferrari were both impounded by Miami police

The driver of a second car, a red Ferrari, was also arrested and both cars impounded, said Miami Dade-Police spokesman Sgt Bobby Hernandez.
Police later named the other driver as an R&B singer known as Khalil.
"During the investigation Mr Bieber made statements that he had consumed some alcohol, that he had been smoking marijuana and consumed some prescription medication," said Miami Beach police chief Raymond Martinez.

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Manchester United fan calls 999 asking for Alex Ferguson

 

A drunk Manchester United fan called 999 "demanding" to speak to Sir Alex Ferguson after the club's defeat.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called at 22:30 GMT on Wednesday by a man from Crumpsall after the team lost to Sunderland in the Capital One Cup.
GMP said it "can be sad and depressing" when a football team loses a game but asked the public to "remember that 999 is to be used for emergencies only".
The force suggested contacting the club to speak to the former manager.
Manchester United lost 2-1 on penalties in the semi-final of the competition at Old Trafford under new manager David Moyes.

The man opened the call by asking to speak to Mr Ferguson before telling the call handler: "The result is all wrong, they had extra time and it was a total and utter load of rubbish."
After being asked if he needed to report a crime, the caller replied: "Yes, a crime. I want to report a crime. The crime is that Manchester United were absolutely knackered."
Towards the end of the call the man asked if the force could call him back.

 

Man United missed the chance to face rivals Man City in the final at Wembley

'Try ringing Man United' On GMP North Manchester's Facebook page, the force said: "A man from the Crumpsall area of North Manchester rang 999 in a drunken state demanding to speak to Sir Alex Ferguson about last night's result.
"Obviously, it can be a sad and depressing moment when your football team loses a game, however, can we all please remember that 999 is to be used for emergencies only.
"If you would like to speak to Sir Alex about recent football results we here at GMP Manchester North can only suggest you try ringing Manchester United FC directly as you will probably (not definitely) have a much better chance of getting through to him there rather than ringing the police," the statement added.
Diane Grandidge, GMP's business lead for call handling, said: "Silly calls like this one are thoughtless and can make a difference in a life and death situation.
"You wouldn't want your own emergency call being delayed by someone tying up a line with a hoax."
The force said the caller has been warned about inappropriate use of the 999 service, but would not face further action

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Deadly fire at Quebec home for the elderly

The residence was completely destroyed by the fire

At least three people have died and 30 more are reported missing after a fire tore through an old people's home in Quebec, officials have said.

The fire at the 52-unit residence in L'Isle-Verte, 140 miles (225km) east of Quebec City, was first reported about 00:30 local time (05:30 GMT).
Residence du Havre, home to about 50-60 elderly people, was completely destroyed. Several people were injured.
A local police official said rescuers still hoped to find missing residents.
Police told reporters emergency crews were still considering their efforts a rescue mission, searching for the missing residents, some who may be with family.
"We hope for the best," Sgt Audrey-Annie Bilodeau said, adding about 20 people were transported safely from the Resident du Havre.
"We hope that the number is going to go down."
'Night from hell' L'Isle-Verte's acting Mayor Ginette Caron told reporters that most residents at the home used wheelchairs or walkers. Some had Alzheimer's disease. Only five residents were fully autonomous, she said.
"All our thoughts are with the families, the people affected by this ordeal," Ms Caron said.
Several fire departments from around the region were called to the town of 1,400 to help extinguish the fire.
As firefighters worked to stop the fire, they were also fighting temperatures of -19C (-2F) and blowing winds.
Local chief firefighter Yvon Charron called it "a night from hell", the Canadian Press reported.
Mario Michaud, who lives across the street, told the local newspaper Info Dimanche he called emergency services after he saw smoke in the building.
"The fire had started on the second floor," Mr Michaud said. "I saw the firefighters and they got to work. A woman on the second floor was shouting and she went out on to the balcony. Her son went to get a ladder but he couldn't get to her. She burned to death."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, travelling in the Middle East this week, tweeted that his "thoughts and prayers go out to the injured and the families and friends of those lost in this morning's horrific fire in L'Isle-Verte".

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US privacy watchdog advises NSA spying is illegal

The bulk collection of phone call data by US intelligence agencies is illegal and has had only "minimal" benefits in preventing terrorism, an independent US privacy watchdog has ruled.

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board advised by a 3-2 majority that the programme should end.
In a major speech last week, President Barack Obama said he was ordering curbs on the use of such mass data.
But he said the US must continue collecting data to prevent attacks.
The report from the PCLOB is the latest of several reviews of the National Security Agency's (NSA) mass surveillance programme, the details of which caused widespread anger after they were leaked by Edward Snowden.

Gordon Corera Security correspondent, BBC News

Of all the Snowden revelations, the first - the collection of bulk phone call records - remains the most controversial politically within the US.
The debate centres both on its legality and its effectiveness. President Obama and supporters have claimed it is legal under existing laws and that it has helped in stopping terrorist attacks.
But critics are sceptical of both of these propositions and this latest report will provide them with more ammunition, with questions over what benefits it provides as well as whether it should continue.
President Obama has said he wants to move the holding of the phone records away from NSA, but the signs are that it may prove extremely hard to find someone able to take on such a controversial role. Despite the president's announcements of reform, his headaches over this specific programme do not look to be over.

Washington has argued it is lawful to collect information on phone calls - known as metadata - under a section of the George W Bush-era Patriot Act which gives the FBI the power to demand from businesses information deemed relevant to their investigations.

Sharp divisions But the New York Times, one of several media organisations to have seen the PCLOB report, says three of the five panel members concluded that the NSA spying programme "lacks a viable legal foundation" under the Patriot Act.
It "represents an unsustainable attempt to shoehorn a pre-existing surveillance programme into the text of a statute with which it is not compatible", they said.
The programme also raised constitutional concerns, including "serious threats to privacy and civil liberties as a policy matter, and has shown only limited value".

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