Barcelona and Spain midfielder ANDRES INIESTA was quoted in Sunday’s El Pais newspaper as saying Chelsea Manager JOSE MOURINHO “did more harm than good” to Spanish football during his controversial three-year tenure as coach of Real Madrid. Iniesta: “You just have to look at the facts. Yes, he damaged Spanish football, in general more harm than good” (REUTERS, 6/9). ... Former England Manager GRAHAM TAYLOR said that the success of the Premier League "is hindering England's national team." Research has shown that the playing time of English players under the age of 21 in the Premier League "has fallen to its lowest-ever level." Taylor said: "Commercially the Premier League has been a major success but at the expense of English players" (BBC, 6/9). ... Former EPL side Everton captain PHIL NEVILLE revealed on Saturday that he will stop playing ''at any level'' and not just in the Premier League. Neville has a "bug" for coaching and is campaigning for the best English youngsters, like Chelsea's NAT CHALOBAH, "to be given a starting chance by their clubs" (London TELEGRAPH, 6/8). ... Horse trainer CHRIS WALLER is no longer just Sydney's premier trainer, "but an irrepressible force." In the past month, he has won almost A$2M ($1.9M) during the Brisbane winter carnival, "preparing seven stakes winners, two of them at group 1 level, in a planned attack that has delivered nine wins from 26 starters" (THE AGE, 6/10). ... The Cuban Athletics Federation warned that Olympic Gold Medalist hurdler DAYRON ROBLES "is not authorized to represent any other country in the Memorial Primo Nebiolo," held on Saturday at the Italian city of Turin (XINHUA, 6/9). ... Chilean footballer RODRIGO RUIZ has announced his retirement, ending a 21-year professional career (EMOL, 6/9). ... Former footballer and current Primavera youth team coach FABIO LIVERANI “will be appointed Genoa coach next week” (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 6/9). ... La Liga side Athletic Bilbao has decided to “call it a day” with Manager MARCELO BIELSA after two seasons (MARCA, 6/8).
