Former Real Madrid footballer ISIDRO SÁNCHEZ, who also played for La Liga side Real Betis, died Monday at the age of 76 in Seville, Spain. Sánchez played for Real Madrid from '61-65 and retired in '71 (MARCA, 9/2). ... Sri Lankan cricketer KUMAR SANGAKKARA and officials of Sri Lanka Cricket met on Monday to "sort out their differences after the Board questioned his loyalty towards the country while playing in the upcoming Champions League T20" (PTI, 9/2). ... Indian triple jumper RENJITH MATHESWARY "will have to wait a bit longer to know whether he will get the Arjuna Award or not as Athletics Federation of India is yet to submit a report to the Sports Ministry on the controversy over his alleged doping violation" in '08 (PTI, 9/2). ... Former NFL player KELLY ERRIN HERNDON and rap star DEANDRE CORTEZ, "more popularly known as 'Soulja Boy,'" are the latest players to be confirmed on NBA L.A. Lakers KOBE BRYANT's basketball team for his two-day visit to the UAE later this month (GULF NEWS, 8/31). ... Anzhi Makhachkala football club Owner SULEIMAN KERIMOV “has been named a wanted man by authorities in Belarus over alleged offences that could carry a 10-year prison term.” The billionaire “has been named a suspect in ‘the abuse of power and official authority’ in relation to a collapsed joint venture in the fertilizer industry” (R-SPORT, 9/2). … Spanish football is "mourning the loss" of former player IGNACIO EIZAGUIRRE "following his death at the age of 92" (INSIDE SPANISH FOOTBALL, 9/1). … American sprinter BEN JOHNSON "will conclude a global anti-doping tour in the Seoul Olympic stadium this month." Johnson is now heading up an int’l anti-doping campaign called "Choose the Right Track" (XINHUA, 9/2).
