Seven-time world Champion MICHAEL SCHUMACHER turned down an offer from Lotus to come out of retirement and drive the final two races of the season. Lotus wanted Schumacher to replace KIMI RAIKKONEN, who is out of the last two events because of a back injury (BBC, 11/13). ... Int'l Cycling Union (UCI) President BRIAN COOKSON said that sport's world governing body has agreed with the World Anti-Doping Agency on "an independent commission of inquiry into cycling's drug-stained past" and LANCE ARMSTRONG will be invited to take part. Cookson said that the UCI and WADA "have an agreement in principle to work together in the investigation and hope to announce the move later on Wednesday" (London TELEGRAPH, 11/13). ... EPL Fulham has appointed former ManU first-team coach RENE MEULENSTEEN as its new head coach "who will work alongside" Manager MARTIN JOL. The move is likely to bring Jol's future at Craven Cottage further into question, "with recent speculation suggesting that the former-Manchester United man was in-line to replace the Cottagers boss in the Fulham hotseat" (London DAILY MIRROR, 11/13). ... Australian cricketer SIMON KATICH announced on Wednesday that "he would call stumps on his 18-year career after the Big Bash League to take up a role as a player development co-ordinator" with Australian Football League club Greater Western Sydney, "where he will help develop the young club's leaders." Katich "will begin in February" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 11/14). ... The Pakistan cricket team's Australian coach, DAV WHATMORE, "decided against renewing his contract" after being left upset with Pakistan Cricket Board Chair NAJAM SETHI's statements regarding his future (PAKISTAN TODAY, 11/14). ... Ascot CEO CHARLES BARNETT is "to retire from his current position" after the next "Royal meeting in June 2014." Barnett will "stay in his role until his successor is appointed and will then continue in an advisory capacity" (RACING UK, 11/13).
