THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Soccerex Global Convention 2013 cancelled

Soccerex

Soccerex have confirmed with great disappointment that the final Soccerex Global Convention in Brazil will now not be taking place. With the ongoing civil unrest, the Rio de Janeiro State Secretary of Sport took the political decision to withdraw their support from the Soccerex Global Convention.

Preparations for the event at the Maracanã Stadium were well advanced with content planned, speakers confirmed and partnerships in place. To be summarily cancelled in such a cavalier fashion, having hosted 33 events over 5 continents is extremely frustrating but nevertheless it has happened and is in contravention of all of the contractual obligations of the Rio State Government, who have been notified of our intention to instigate legal proceedings for substantial compensation.

While the cancellation is an immense shock for everyone involved with Soccerex, it is important to note that the Soccerex Global Convention is contracted in Manchester for the next four years beginning in September 2014.  The Soccerex African Forum will take place in Durban in November and two other Soccerex events, one in Russia, and one in the Americas are soon to be announced.

Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie said:
“On behalf of all at Soccerex, I would like to apologize to every business, football club, league, federation and media organisation affected by this news. This unique and cruel conclusion to our time in Rio was completely out of our hands and everyone who has attended a Soccerex event over the last 18 years will know this is not how we do business. We must look forward now to 2014, to our new event calendar and the Global Convention in Manchester”.

Andrew Stokes, CEO of Marketing Manchester, hosts of the Soccerex Global Convention 2014-17 commented:
“I am sorry to hear about the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the Soccerex Global convention in Rio.   Manchester is looking forward to becoming the home of Soccerex for the next four years and I am certain that together we will build on the illustrious past that both the event and the city has enjoyed”.

Further information on future Soccerex events and other activities will shortly be available via the Soccerex website and other media channels.