List of speakers finalised. The final seal has been set on the line-up of speakers for the Global Sports Forum 2010, with the most recent newcomers continuing the tradition for exceptional quality and diversity. The following are just some of the people featuring on the definitive list, so feel free to judge for yourselves: Laurent-Eric Le Lay, president of Eurosport; Harold Mayne-Nicholls, president of the Chilean Football Association; John Carlin, journalist and writer of ‘Playing the Enemy’ which was recently made into the film ‘Invictus’, directed by Clint Eastwood; Jérôme Silvestre, CEO of Sanofi Aventis Spain; Philip Beard, former marketing and sponsorship director for ‘London 2012’, and current board member of International Inspiration; Pere Alcover, sports representative for Barcelona City Council; Andisa Ntsubane, Head: Africa & Global Sponsorships at the Standard Bank Group; Paul Elliott, ‘England 2018’ board member; and David Gosen, vice-president of strategic marketing for Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business unit.

Landmark film ‘The Referees’ to be shown at the Forum. As exceptional as it has proved controversial, ‘Les Arbitres’ or ‘The Referees’ is a documentary film from Yves Hinant and Jean Libon, the Belgian producer of the television show ‘Strip Tease’. Pitched somewhere between a red card and a portrayal of the blues, this film looks at the everyday lives of the men in black during a major international football tournament, Euro 2008. For the project, the filmmakers followed three referees throughout the entire tournament: Italian official Roberto Rosetti, England’s Howard Webb and Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez of Spain. The results are extraordinary and sometimes a little troubling too. “This film is like something you’ve never seen before,” commented legendary former Italian referee Pierluigi Collina. “When you watch it, you can really understand what happens on the other side.” The project was backed from the start by UEFA, European football’s governing body, and in particular its president, Michel Platini. Never before seen in Spain, the 77 minute-long documentary will be shown at 8pm on the opening evening of the Forum, Monday 8 March, in the presence of the production team.

Trophies evening to be held at the National Theatre of Catalonia. This prestigious and, by definition, very Catalonian venue will play host to the presentation ceremony for the Global Sports Forum 2010 Trophies. The Trophies will be awarded to the winning projects from a shortlist of 26 candidates, each grouped into one of the eight themes of the Forum (Sport and Education; Sport and Health; Sport and Geopolitics; Sport Business; Sport in the City; Sport, Culture and Creativity; Sport, Philanthropy and Cooperation; and Major Sport Events). The eight winners, with one project selected in each category, will be chosen by a committee of speakers from the 2009 edition. The Trophies constitute one of the innovations of the second edition and are no doubt destined to undergo exciting developments in the future.