England football center St. George's Park Chair DAVID SHEEPSHANKS is set to join London-based law firm Onside Law in a non-executive advisory role. The firm specializes in the sport, fashion and entertainment industries (Onside Law). ... Former Asian Football Confederation President MOHAMED BIN HAMMAM has had his temporary suspension extended by 45 days by FIFA's ethics committee (AFP, 10/23). ... Former France midfielder EMMANUEL PETIT wants to become the president of the French Football Federation in '16. The 42-year-old wants to "increase the role of sport in French society, stop int'l players from getting paid bonuses, develop the amateur game and help women have a bigger role in football" (AP, 10/24). Golfer ERNIE ELS has signed with management company IMG (IMG). ... West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable NORMAN BETTISON has quit his position with immediate effect "after weeks of pressure over his part in police propaganda" after the '89 Hillsborough disaster (LONDON TIMES, 10/24).
AUSSIES' MAN: Five-time Olympic Gold Medalist IAN THORPE will join a panel for the Doha GOALS Forum Dec. 10-12 to discuss what federations and organizations are doing to protect athletes (Doha GOALS Forum). The CHINA DAILY reported Thorpe "will release his autobiography" on Wednesday. The book is titled "This is Me," written in conjunction with author ROBERT WAINWRIGHT and published by Simon & Schuster. It will disclose information "unknown about his life in and out of the pool" (CHINA DAILY, 10/24). The CHINA DAILY added that Thorpe on Monday "shared his experiences in keeping fit and healthy through nutrition," as the brand ambassador for natural health supplement Blackmores (CHINA DAILY, 10/24).
KOREAN MANAGEMENT: South Korean figure skater KIM YU-NA "will be reunited with two of her former coaches" in her attempt to return to competitive skating following more than a year away from the rink. Kim's agency All That Sport said that SHIN HYE-SOOK and RYU JONG-HYUN will train the 22-year-old Olympic champion this season, with Shin overseeing her training programs and Ryu handling her fitness training (YONHAP, 10/25). ... South Korean volleyball player KIM YEON-KOUNG has accused her Korean professional team "of reneging on a promise to keep their contract -- related settlement confidential, a move that is keeping her from playing for a Turkish club" (YONHAP, 10/19).
