Barcelona has named GERARDO MARTINO its new coach. The Argentinian, "who led Newell's Old Boys" to the semifinal of the Copa Libertadores, will sign a three-year deal. He replaces TITO VILANOVA, who was forced to step down last week as he undergoes continuing treatment for throat cancer (GUARDIAN, 7/22). ... The Badminton World Federation said Monday that it had "launched an investigation into a brawl" involving two Thai badminton players during the Canada Open. The "men's doubles final on Sunday between BODIN ISSARA/PAKKAWAT VILAILAK and their Thai compatriots MANEEPONG JONGJIT/ NIPITPHON PUANGPUAPECH ended up in a fistfight" (XINHUA, 7/22). Issara, who was caught on tape chasing and beating Jongjit, issued a public apology on Sunday, saying that "he lost his temper" after Jongjit hit him with his racket (BANGKOK POST, 7/22). ... Costa Rica national football team coach JORGE LUIS PINTO has been fined $5,000 by CONCACAF and warned about his future. Pinto criticized CONCACAF after the group stage game against Belize, which Costa Rica won 1-0 (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 7/22). ... Cycling club BMC Racing Sporting Dir JOHN LELANGUE has quit his post after more than six years at the helm in "the wake of the team's dismal showing at the Tour de France that concluded in Paris on Sunday." BMC Racing said in a statement, "John Lelangue is leaving the BMC Racing Team for personal reasons -- effective immediately" (REUTERS, 7/22). ... Former cricketer SHANE WARNE has quit Australia's Big Bash League after two seasons with the Melbourne Stars "in a blow for the struggling Twenty20 tournament." Warne: "I think the time is right for me to hang up my Big Bash boots -- juggling business, family and commentary commitments across two continents is not easy. I've always loved the game but now it's time to observe" (REUTERS, 7/22). ... Former Welsh footballer, North American Soccer League Commissioner and U.S. national team coach PHIL WOOSNAM has died at age 80. Woosnam died Friday in Dunwoody, Ga., of complications related to prostate cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Woosnam played for a number of pro clubs -- including English teams Aston Villa, West Ham and Leyton Orient -- during a 16-year career and earned 17 caps with the Welsh national team (AP, 7/17). ... The Football Federation of Cambodia is set to welcome back South Korea's Lee Tae Hoon as the coach of the national football team for a second term beginning in August ahead of preparations for the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar in December (PHNOM PENH POST, 7/22). ... Female football referee MARIA REBELLO "is set to create history as she has been named to officiate in the upcoming I-League season by the All India Football Federation." Rebello is "the first-ever woman referee in the Panel of Referees" for the '13-14 season of the I-League. Maria, a former India captain, "is among the AFC Panel of Elite Referees and has also officiated in the Santosh Trophy" (PTI, 7/22). .. Delhi Police on Monday named deceased former South Africa captain HANSIE CRONJE "as acccused in the infamous match-fixing case of the year 2000." No other cricketer "has been named." Two other South African cricketers, HERSCHELLE GIBBS and NICKY BOJE, "were left out of the chargesheet" because the police said that they do not have enough evidence against them (TIMES OF INDIA, 7/22).
