US soccer friendlies promoter files for bankruptcy

CHAMPIONSWORLD, the US company that operated the pre-season series of friendlies for Manchester United, Celtic, Liverpool and Chelsea last summer, has filed for bankruptcy protection from its creditors.

The move comes just days after Manchester United opted to tour the Far East next summer rather than return to the States for a third year in a row.

Despite United’s decision, a ChampionsWorld LLC spokesman yesterday insisted that a series of friendlies involving Premiership clubs this summer was already being planned.