Bayern Munich President ULI HOENEß offered to step down temporarily from the office of chair of the supervisory board until the relevant authorities come to a decision on whether his voluntary self-disclosure exempts him from penalty. Hoeneß expressed regret about the matter and apologized to the board. Following intensive discussion, the FC Bayern Munich AG supervisory board agreed by mutual consent that Hoeneß should continue to exercise the office of chair of the FC Bayern Munich AG supervisory board. The supervisory board will continue to monitor the matter and will return to the subject once there are further developments (Bayern Munich). ... Scottish Premier League Motherwell striker MICHAEL HIGDON was "arrested hours after winning PFA Scotland Player of the Year." Higdon was "held in connection with an incident at a Glasgow nightclub" (TELEGRAPH, 5/6). ... Barcelona confirmed Monday that it "removed a banner in support of former coach PEP GUARDIOLA at the Camp Nou, 'for commercial reasons.'" A small white banner with "#ResPEPct" written in black was "displayed but then removed during Barca’s 4-2 win over Real Betis on Sunday evening." The club has confirmed that the banner was "taken down for commercial reasons, as it obscured an advertising banner for club sponsors Turkish Airlines" (FOOTBALL ESPAÑA, 5/6).
POLICE REPORT: Real Madrid player CRISTIANO RONALDO was involved in an incident with police early Sunday morning in Madrid's Cuzco Plaza that resulted in the arrest of an Atlético Madrid fan (EL PERIODICO, 5/5). ... Bangladesh's SHAKIB AL HASAN has been fined 75% of his match fee after pleading guilty to a Level 2 breach of the Int'l Cricket Council Code of Conduct during Zimbabwe's victory in the second One-day Int'l at Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on Sunday. Showing serious dissent at an umpire's decision, Shakib smashed his bat into his pad, and in the process nearly hit Zimbabwe wicketkeeper BRENDAN TAYLOR (ICC). ... Barcelona football coach TITO VILANOVA said that he will travel to N.Y. "for a short checkup on his throat after having a tumor removed last December" (AP, 5/5). ... Australian boxer SAM SOLIMAN said that his "B" sample of a recent doping test turned out negative and he "will appeal a nine-month ban he was handed in Germany" (AP, 5/2). ... Japan PM SHINZO ABE had to dispel suspicions Sunday that a Yomiuri Giants uniform he received as a gift at the People's Honor Award ceremony "was linked to his plan to weaken Article 96 of the Constitution." The jersey he received "bears the number 96." Shinzo: "The jersey number is in tribute to me being the 96th prime minister" (KYODO, 5/6). ... New Zealand cricketer DANIEL VETTORI and Sri Lankan cricketers MAHELA JAYAWARDENA and KUMAR SANGAKKARA are set to join a club of cricketers to play in six ICC Champions Trophy tournaments after they were named in their respective squads for the event to be staged in England and Wales from June 6-23 (ICC).
