Names In The News

The Asian Football Confederation acting President ZHANG JILONG has criticized former President MOHAMED BIN HAMMAM "for attempting to derail an investigation" into his alleged financial wrongdoing through the use of "intimidation" (REUTERS, 10/17). ... World No. 2 TIGER WOODS and world No. 1 RORY MCILROY will return to the UAE in January, as both have been confirmed for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship (THE NATIONAL, 10/17). ... Supporters of Russia’s only  F1 driver, VITALY PETROV, have written an open letter to the country’s president. In the letter, they ask President VLADIMIR PUTIN to "find sponsors for the driver" so he can remain in F1 (RT.com, 10/16). ... Italian footballer SIMONE FARINA, who earlier this year became a FIFA ambassador for fair play, has been appointed as a community coach by EPL club Aston Villa (FIFA).