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BMW by mělo podle německých médií v pátek oficiálně oznámit ukončení spolupráce s Prodrivem, samotný Prodrive tuto informaci popírá.

Colin Clark: "Hearing that Eurosport have withdrawn from discussion with regards to any element of filming/promoting WRC. Hope FIA know what theyre doing!"

Eurosport věří něčemu, čemu já už dávno věřit přestal

Tonight strenuous efforts are under way to get the Eurosport Events deal back on track. iRally has had positive messages this evening from both sides, and continues to believe that a deal can, must and will be done.

Both parties have worked tirelessly against the clock to make a deal, and both clearly still want it to happen.

Meanwhile, it’s possible that European Employment Law may be the actual sticking point that has ended talks between the two parties – at least for now.

The Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment legislation – TUPE - provides for the protection of jobs in certain situations, for example takeovers or transfers of work or contract.

In such circumstances, if it’s deemed that the transfer qualifies for TUPE protection, then workers should be guaranteed job transfers over to the new company, full employment terms and conditions transfer, with continuity of employment maintained.

Some staff at North One Television, working on WRC TV production, were made redundant following the move by FIA to end the North One Sport global promoter contract, and may possibly qualify for such protection if Eurosport Events takes over.

On January 12, the boss of North One Television Neil Duncanson was quoted on a website:

"We're still waiting to hear from Eurosport about the transfer of our production team over to them, under European employment law.”

That story has not re-surfaced since, but it may be that the lawyers involved in the deal have now advised of the possibility that TUPE would apply in any transfer of responsibility from NOS to Eurosport Events, something FIA or Eurosport might not hitherto considered a serious issue, but one which could have expensive repercussions.

Tonight FIA insiders are moving rapidly to reassure and steady the ship: calls are being made and stakeholders reassured. It may be that Eurosport TV could provide the TV coverage from Sweden and Mexico, with the promoter issue put to one side until the TUPE issue – if that is what it is – is resolved.

iRally is looking for the positives here, and no-one in the sport with any care for its future will want them to fail, iRally least of all.

Nějak nerozumím tomu, jak s tím souvisí pracovní právo v otázkách zaměstnanců NOS. Eurosport přece nepřebírá NOS a tudíž nemá vůči zaměstnancům NOS žádné povinnosti. Nevím, ale tohle mi přijde jako vykonstruovaný problém. Skutečnost bude asi jiná.

EDIT: Když to čtu znovu, tak mi z toho vychází, že existuje jakási účelová společnost nazvaná WRC TV a o jejíž zaměstnance jde. Tzn. tihle lidé zřejmě neměli smlouvu s NOS, ale právě s WRC TV a tady zřejmě jde uplatňovat zmíněnou evropskou legislativu chránící pracovní místa nebo minimálně si na to činit nárok. Rozhodně ale netvrdím, že tomu rozumím...

Pořád čekám na to slibované oficiální tiskové prohlášení od BMW. Počítám, že to dopadne tak, jak jsem předpokládal od začátku - vůbec nic se nestane...

Podle Colina Clarka letos v MS žádný promotér nebude...

http://twitter.com/voiceofrally

Announcement due next week on future of Prodrive's WRC Mini future

A resolution to the ongoing situation between the BMW Group and Prodrive is expected early next week, when the Banbury firm is reportedly going to be told that its contract to build Mini John Cooper Works WRCs is terminated.

As reported by AUTOSPORT on Thursday, the BMW Group's decision is believed to have been taken to split from Prodrive. That decision is expected to be communicated to the company responsible for the development and build of the Mini either on Friday or early next week.

AUTOSPORT's sources have reported that a meeting of Prodrive staff has been convened for Monday morning.

When contacted by AUTOSPORT on Friday afternoon, a spokesperson from the BMW Group said: "We have no comment to make".

Despite collecting three podiums from seven World Rally Championship starts, the dispute between Prodrive and the BMW Group over financing the programme appears beyond reconciliation.

Joao Silva, jeden ze zatím šesti předpřihlášených do WRC Academy, ji možná nepojede... Rozhodnutí padne v nejbližších dvou týdnech.

FIA už oficiálně potvrdila, že promotéra nemá... - http://www.autosport.cz/clanek.php?cl=13324