With EPL side Fulham on its third manager this season and "in danger of relegation," Owner SHAHID KHAN said that "he is aware that his decisions appear 'unconventional or unpopular.'" The American billionaire, however, "sees his actions as risks worth taking in a bid to keep the London club in the Premier League" (AP, 2/28). ... TutorGroup announced that it has enlisted former NBA player YAO MING "to endorse its English tutoring service and Chinese teaching platform." Taiwan's TutorGroup, known for its TutorABC learning platform, has received funding from Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group to "expand its online courses for both English and Mandarin Chinese" (CNA, 2/28). ... Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian winger BERNARD said that he is "considering not returning to Ukraine due to the current crisis in the country after he plays in Brazil's friendly in South Africa on Wednesday." Bernard said that he had "taken measures to prepare to evacuate the country if the situation worsens." The 21-year-old nevertheless "said he doubts he will leave Shakhtar, which signed him in August" (EFE, 3/3).
CHARITY MATCH: Former footballers RONALDO and ZINEDINE ZIDANE are "once again serving as the ambassadors for the annual Match against Poverty." Now in its 11th year, the event is taking place in Bern, Switzerland on Tuesday and "most of the proceeds will go towards victims of Typhoon Haiyan, in the Philippines." Other "former footballers taking part" include Portugal's LUIS FIGO, Italy's FABIO CANNAVARO, the Czech Republic's PAVEL NEDVED and Spanish trio GAIZKA MENDIETA, FERNANDO HIERRO and MICHEL SALGADO (EFE, 3/3).
