Former Spanish football player and coach RAMÓN BLANCO died Thursday "as a result of complications from a stroke he suffered this past weekend." Blanco coached Spanish third-tier club Cadíz during the '90s after playing for the club from '76-80 (AS, 5/9). ... Germany-based Universum Box-Promotion CEO WALDEMAR KLUCH "has been arrested on charges of extortion under threat of force as well as attempted assault on three occasions" (SPIEGEL ONLINE, 5/8). The Atlético de Madrid handball team will visit on Friday Cibeles Palace, Madrid's city council headquarters, after being crowned Copa del Rey champion on Saturday. The club, led by President ENRIQUE CEREZO, captain JAVIER HOMBRADOS and coach TALANT DUJSHEBAEV, will be greeted by Madrid Mayor ANA BOTELLA. Recently elected Spanish Handball Federation President FRANCISCO BLÁZQUEZ and a representative from the Madrid 2020 Olympic Committee will also be present (EFE, 5/9). ... NBA L.A. Lakers forward PAU GASOL had surgery on both his knees Thursday to combat tendinitis that bothered him throughout the Lakers' recently concluded season. The operation makes it unlikely that Gasol will play for Spain at the Eurobasket 2013 in Slovenia (EL PAIS, 5/9). ... Australian Rugby Union CEO BILL PULVER has confirmed "no decision has been taken on whether Super Rugby Melbourne Rebels fullback KURTLEY BEALE's latest alcohol-related suspension will cost him his chance of playing against the British and Irish Lions next month." Pulver said he will meet with the Melbourne Rebels next week as well as Rugby Union Players Association CEO GREG HARRIS to determine what further action will be taken against Beale (THE AUSTRALIAN, 5/10). ... Australian Institute of Sport coach JOHN FOWLIE, who oversaw the Australian men's 4x100m freestyle relay team, has been replaced. New national team CEO MICHAEL SCOTT announced a different line-up of coaches Thursday to oversee the national relays. Swimmer JAMES MAGNUSSEN's coach, BRANT BEST, "will have primary responsibility for the relay," assisted by swimmer CAMERON MCEVOY's coach, RICHARD SCARCE, who is making his debut on the national team. Head men's coach ROHAN TAYLOR will provide support (THE AUSTRALIAN, 5/10).
FOOTBALL NAMES: EPL Aston Villa captain STILIYAN PETROV has announced his retirement from football. The Bulgarian midfielder was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in March last year and is now in remission (INDEPENDENT, 5/9). ... Royal Mail Thursday issued a special set of stamps honoring ManU striker DENIS LAW and former Scottish footballer DAVE MACKAY as part of the 11-piece set designed to celebrate 150 years of the English FA and the Scottish FA (EVENING TIMES, 5/9). ... WAYNE ROONEY "has deleted the words 'Manchester United player' from his Twitter bio, further fueling speculation that he is on his way out of Old Trafford" (TELEGRAPH, 5/9).
