Spanish tennis player GUILLERMO OLASO is the "player being investigated on suspicion of match-fixing." The Int'l Tennis Federation announced that it was "investigating an unnamed player a week ago." Olaso's punishment "could reach a permanent suspension" and a fine of up to €250,000 ($343,300). During a match in November against ROBERTO MARCORA, Olaso lost 6-0, 6-1, with six double faults, "prompting the investigation" (MARCA, 12/17). ... DIEGO MARADONA believes CRISTIANO RONALDO "is more deserving" of the FIFA Ballon d'Or than LIONEL MESSI. Ronaldo, Messi and Bayern Munich's FRANCK RIBERY are "all in the running to be crowned the world's best player" (SPORTAL, 12/17). ... Ukrainian boxer VITALI KLITSCHKO "has vacated" his WBC heavyweight title to "focus on his ongoing political battles in his native Ukraine." Klitschko, 42, is "one of the opposition leaders in the ongoing political crisis in Ukraine." The WBC said, "With the current extreme and delicate political situation in the Ukraine, Vitali has answered his country's call to fight for human rights and equality" (R-SPORT, 12/17). ... Spanish professional women's basketball player AMAYA VALDEMORO, "who played 258 games for the Spanish women's national team," officially announced her retirement at a press conference on Tuesday. Valdemoro's final game "came in June, when Spain won the Gold Medal at the women's EuroBasket" (EFE, 12/17). ... Mexican billionaire EMILIO AZCÁRRAGA, whose Liga MX side America fell to Leon in the finals, "has congratulated CARLOS SLIM." Slim is an investor in Leon, which beat TV magnate Azcárraga's America by an aggregate score of 5-1. Azcárraga tweeted, "I want to send sincere congratulations to Leon for its championship" (LA AFICION, 12/16). ... The high-profile court case between ANTHONY HAMILTON and PAUL DI RESTA "took another dramatic twist after ‘lost’ evidence was discovered." Hamilton "returned to the witness box to tell the High Court he had found the evidence that he previously said was 'lost' at the back gates of his house in a disused letterbox."
The crucial evidence "was three Blackberrys that were discovered in the letterbox on Thursday morning with Hamilton having previously been unable to explain their loss." However, the High Court "had previously been told that eight Blackberrys went missing" (EUROSPORT, 12/17). ... The G Force Cricket Academy has roped in former England cricketer ALEX TUDOR "to guide youngsters from the academy through the course of a ten-day training camp in Rajkot, India, from Friday" (GULF NEWS, 12/17).
