IIHF President Says Deal is Close; Brazil "Succeeded" Hosting Confederations Cup

International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel insisted to Around the Rings that a deal to get NHL players in Sochi is "very close."

Fasel made the comments to ATR in Lausanne after leaving negotiations with the heads of the NHL and NHL Players’ Association. The three met in New York City on Monday to continue discussions that have been ongoing since the Vancouver Olympics.

He said small details still have to be worked out for a deal, and that the earlier concern of insurance costs is not holding up an agreement.

With so many stakeholders, Fasel said it is naturally harder to reach a deal due to so many competing interests.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said after Monday’s meeting a deal would be announced "soon, very soon."

Brazil Faces Host City Challenges

Brazilian Sport Minister Aldo Rebelo says Brazil "met all its challenges" during the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Following a review of the event, which ended on Sunday when the hosts defeated Spain for the championship, Rebelo said in a statement: "We managed to succeed not only in football, but also in organization."

Rebelo acknowledged the tumultuous anti-government protests that took place during the tournament, claiming: "I don’t think anyone was bothered by the demonstrations."

"They happened because we live in a democracy. If there were excesses, this was the work of vandals. But it is important that, with these demonstrations, we learn to anticipate issues and solutions that will be the legacy for the Cup, including improvements in transportation and public security."

He added: "these demonstrations do not happen by chance.

"Problems do occur and we can never hide that fact. We are a country in construction. We are proud of our civilizing process. However, we are still a socially and regionally inequitable country."

SportAccord Changes

Vlad Marinescu was appointed SportAccord General Director after the council voted to remove Vincent Gaillard of his duties.

The umbrella organization for sport federations made the announcement on Monday, following its first Council meeting under president Marius Vizer.

Vizer said Marinescu "will bring new energy and top professionalism to SportAccord."

Gaillard joined SportAccord in 2011. No explanation was given for his removal. Vizer pledged in his campaign to professionalize SportAccord’s operation.

Marinescu, 28, comes from the International Judo Federation where he served as director of the President’s office under Vizer.

Also during the Council meeting, Vizer and Rotenberg Arkady Romanovich joined the Executive Committee of SportAccord Convention. They join Francesco Ricci Bitti and Rene Fasel on theExecutive Committee, respective presidents of the Summer Olympic and Winter Olympic sport federation organizations.

FEI Loses Event Host

The International Equestrian Federation will re-open bidding for the 2018 World Equestrian Games after Bromont, Canada, failed to deliver guarantees for the event.

In a statement, said the decision was reached at its Bureau meeting on Monday.

"There had been an expectation that the FEI Bureau would allocate the 2018 Games to Bromont/Montreal today following the Bid Committee’s strong presentation to the Bureau, but the Canadian delegation was unable to provide the full public sector financial support that was required before an allocation could be made," a statement said. "As a result, the Bureau is to re-open the bidding process for the 2018 Games, but with the clear intent that Bromont/Montreal remains in the mix."

Bromont officials said they would bid again.

A procedure and timeline for bidding are yet to established.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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