Spanish tennis player GUILLERMO OLASO has received a ban of five years "after being found guilty of violations under the Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Program." Olaso was also fined $25,000 for three violations that occurred in '10. The "final 18 months of the five-year period" could be suspended if Olaso attends "anti-corruption education and rehabilitation programs" (MARCA, 12/23). ... EPL side Cardiff City Manager MALKY MACKAY does not expect crunch talks with Owner VINCENT TAN until the end of the week, saying that "he has had two attempts to meet the Malaysian billionaire rebuffed." Mackay had been "widely expected to be sacked" after Tan sent him an email last week criticizing his ability and concluding with an ultimatum that Mackay resign, or face dismissal, which the manager said left him "deeply upset" (PA, 12/23). ... DAVID BECKHAM "has signed on to help promote Las Vegas Sands' properties in Singapore and the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau." Sands said in a statement that "it hopes to cash in on Beckham's popularity in the region." The deal may help Sands win attention in mainland China, "where casinos are illegal and casino advertising is also banned" (AP, 12/23). ... New Zealand golfer LYDIA KO has split with long-time coach GUY WILSON, "who started working with the golfing prodigy as a five-year-old novice and helped take her to number four in the world 11 years later." In a statement, Wilson said he was "incredibly disappointed" that their partnership had come to an end (REUTERS, 12/23). ... The Swiss FA has confirmed that Serie A club Lazio Manager VLADIMIR PETKOVIC will succeed OTTMAR HITZFELD after the World Cup. Petkovic has been handed a contract from July until the end of '15. That deal "will be extended if he gets the country to Euro 2016" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 12/23).
