Names In The News

La Liga Real Betis President MIGUEL GUILLÉN announced he will "step down from his current role on March 28." The "big question now is who will be appointed to become his replacement" (MARCA, 2/25). ... Three Spanish shot putters have been suspended by Spain's Superior Sports Council (CSD) after "being photographed performing Nazi salutes at a training camp." All three athletes, CARLOS TOBALINA, DANIEL MARTÍNEZ and JOSÉ LORENZO HERNÁNDEZ, have been "banned from competing or visiting the elite national team's training base" for 15 days (EL PERIODICO, 2/25). ... Argentine second division side Los Andes President OSCAR FERREYRA "survived an attack at his house on Monday night when unidentified shooters fired six shots at his house." There "were no victims in the attack" (DPA, 2/25). ... Former IOC President JACQUES ROGGE of Belgium "received an honorary knighthood from Britain on Tuesday." British IOC member PRINCESS ANNE "presented the award to Rogge at Buckingham Palace" (AP, 2/25). ... Godolphin Racing Manager SIMON CRISFORD resigned "and will take a new role" as SHEIKH MOHAMMED's global racing adviser. The 51-year-old's departure "comes after a report published this month that was critical of Godolphin and other parts of Sheikh Mohammed's equine operations." The affair "caused serious embarrassment to the Dubai ruler," who is PM of the UAE and the U.K.'s leading racehorse owner. The report also criticized "management failings, insufficient oversight and complacency" (REUTERS, 2/25). ... Olympic champion and 2012 Tour de France winner BRADLEY WIGGINS said that "he intends to ride at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this year." The 33-year-old Team Sky rider told Cycling News, "I haven't got a gold medal from the Commonwealths so it would be nice to add that on, and it's a couple of days after the Tour so for the sake of carrying on for a few more days and doing it" (REUTERS, 2/25). ... Referee GAVIN MORRIS "has been suspended for the opening two rounds" of the National Rugby League premiership and been ordered to seek counseling over an off-field incident. Morris reportedly punched Queensland Cup touch judge TERRY PASCOE on New Year’s Eve, "landing him in hospital with facial injuries" (AAP, 2/25). ... Australian national team rugby coach TIM SHEENS, 63, was expected to extend his "reign as Australia’s Test coach for another year" on Wednesday. He will "become Australia’s longest serving national coach" since BOB FULTON (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 2/26). ... Australian swimmer GRANT HACKETT Tuesday night flew to the U.S. "to admit himself into rehab for sleeping pill abuse just days after being spotted wandering Crown casion semi-naked looking for his four-year-old son." Hackett's manager CHRIS WHITE said, "Grant is currently in transit to seek treatment for dependency to Stilnox medication" (HERALD SUN, 2/26).

NOTABLE DEATHS: Former boxing world champion ANTONIO CERMENO was "kidnapped and killed in his native Venezuela, police said Tuesday." Local police chief ELISEO GUZMAN said that Cermeno, a WBA super bantamweight and featherweight champion in the '90s, was "found shot and killed on Tuesday in a road in the central state of Miranda." Guzman said that Cermeno and "other relatives were kidnapped on Monday night near the La Urbina neighborhood in east Caracas" (AP, 2/25). ... Former Portuguese side Benfica footballer MARIO COLUNA died on Tuesday at the age of 78. Coluna, a midfielder, earned 57 caps for Portugal and "made 677 appearances over 17 seasons" for Benfica, scoring 150 goals and "helping them to win two European Cups, 10 Portuguese league titles and six domestic cups" (GOAL, 2/25).