Barcelona President JOSEP MARIA BARTOMEU said that he has "no intention of resigning" even if Barcelona member JORDI CASES' "lawsuit is expected to encompass him." Bartomeu said of how we would react to the lawsuit being extended, "I'm not considering resigning and I'm not worried if that happens. ... There is no evidence that there is anything or anyone behind the member's lawsuit, only a personal opinion" (AS, 2/5). ... Alcobendas, Spain Mayor IGNACIO GARCIA DE VINUESA said on Wednesday that the city's most important football field, currently called José Caballero stadium, will be named after Spanish former coach and player LUIS ARAGONÉS, who died on Saturday at the age of 75 (EP, 2/5). ... 2018 PyeongChange Olympics chief organizer KIM JIN-SUN carried the Olympic torch in Sochi on Wednesday (YONHAP, 2/5). ... British cyclist BRADLEY WIGGINS said that "he had to move his children to a new school because of 'horrendous' bullying" following the LANCE ARMSTRONG drug scandal. Wiggins: "The Lance Armstrong thing... My kids started getting harassed at school. Is your dad on drugs? He won the Tour. Is he the same as Lance Armstrong?' Horrible" (BBC, 2/5). ... Serie A Inter Milan Sporting Dir MARCO BRANCA "looks set to leave the club within the next few days." The retired striker "has been part of the background staff" at San Siro since '02, but has "come in for increased scrutiny for his role in assembling the current squad." And Sky Sport Italia believes that the 49-year-old’s exit "has been agreed, with both parties accepting a termination deal" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 2/5).
SPECIAL GUEST: Thai Premier League Chair ONG-ARJ KOSINKHA confirmed on Tuesday that former ManU Manager ALEX FERGUSON "will be visiting Thailand to consult on coaching courses with TPL teams." Ong-arj: "Sir Alex will come to take part in several activities, including sharing his coaching experiences with Thai clubs." Ong-arj said that the FA of Thailand "had been contacted by organiser Fresh Air Festival Co for its co-operation." Fresh Air Festival President VINIT LERTRATTANACHAI confirmed that the company "had signed a contract with Ferguson" (BANGKOK POST, 2/5).
