Former India cricket captain SOURAV GANGULY "joined the Supreme Court-appointed Mudgal committee," which is probing the Indian Premier League betting and spot-fixing scandal, as an expert on cricketing affairs. Ganguly's name "was doing the rounds for quite some time as he is one of the contemporary cricketers having played in IPL till 2012." He "is conversant with the modern day game and has an unquestionable reputation when it comes to integrity" (MUMBAI MIRROR, 6/9). ... The "most powerful players’ representative in world cricket has emerged as a frontrunner to take over at the helm" of the Australian Football League Players Association. PAUL MARSH "remains the key candidate" alongside current AFLPA Deputy Chief IAN PRENDERGAST. Marsh, who worked for four years until '01 with Port Adelaide, heads the Federation of Int'l Cricketers’ Associations "which oversees" seven of the 10 Int'l Cricket Council players’ associations" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 6/9). ... FIFA said that JENNIFER LOPEZ "has pulled out of performing the official World Cup song at the tournament's opening ceremony in Brazil." Officials said that the singer could not attend Thursday's show because of unspecified "production issues." Lopez "was due to perform" alongside rapper PITBULL and Brazilian singer CLAUDIA LEITTE, with whom she has recorded the song We Are One (Ole Ola) (BBC, 6/9). ... Barcelona coach LUIS ENRIQUE "has successfully undergone surgery for appendicitis." The 44-year-old "was rushed to hospital with serious pain on Monday." The operation "was a success and Enrique is expected to leave hospital within the next few days" (GOAL, 6/9). ... Serie A side Palermo President MAURIZIO ZAMPARINI "made an offer" to Cagliari Sporting Dir NICOLA SALERNO. Salerno "is poised to quit Cagliari" when Owner MASSIMO CELLINO sells the club to former Inter board member TOMMASO GIULINI. Salerno admitted it is "possible" he could end up in England with Cellino. Zamparini's interest in Salerno "has now translated into a concrete offer for him to make the most across Sicily" (INSIDE FUTBOL, 6/9). ... Serie A side AC Milan has confirmed that PIPPO INZAGHI will replace CLARENCE SEEDORF as head coach of the club. Seedorf was brought in as MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI's replacement in January. Now Inzaghi "has been appointed on a deal until 2016 after being promoted from his role in charge of Milan's youth team" (EUROSPORT, 6/9). ... NASCAR driver DANICA PATRICK "could be set to become America's first female Formula One driver after her boss hinted she would be a 'great candidate' for his F1 team." GENE HAAS, for whom Patrick races for in NASCAR "is preparing to launch a brand new Formula One team in time for the 2016 season." He said, "She'd bring an awful lot of viewership, I think it's be great for America. I think she would be a great candidate" (London DAILY MAIL, 6/9). ... Red Bull extended its deal ADRIAN NEWEY, who will work on new Red Bull technology projects as well as advising and mentoring Infiniti Red Bull Racing (Red Bull).
