WAYNE ROONEY "has been named England captain, taking over the leadership role of an inexperienced team in a rebuilding phase following its worst-ever World Cup." England Manager ROY HODGSON "confirmed the Manchester United player's appointment" (AP, 8/28). ... Russia "has granted asylum" to Lithuanian banker and former Scottish Championship side Heart of Midlothian Owner VLADIMIR ROMANOV. Lithuanian prosecutors said on Monday that he "is wanted on embezzlement charges." But in a move "likely to further chill relations between Moscow and Vilnius," Russia said that "it will not extradite him." A spokeswoman for Lithuania's Prosecutor General's office said that Moscow "had informed Vilnius of its decision to grant Romanov asylum." She said that "it had given no reason for the move" (REUTERS, 8/25). ... British Cycling has "bolstered" its coaching ranks ahead of the 2016 Rio Games "by recruiting respected sprint specialist" JUSTIN GRACE from the French Cycling Federation.
Grace, who is from New Zealand, "had been with the French squad for a year." He "will now be tasked with helping to return Great Britain to the top of world sprinting following a dip in results since London 2012" (SKY SPORTS, 8/27). ... Former Australian rugby league player STEVE ROACH's 13-year accociation with 2GB "is no more after the radio stadion sacked him over allegations of intimidating behaviour towards a producer." The former Balmain Tigers, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian front-rower "confirmed on Thursday that his contract with the Macquarie Radio Network had been terminated as a result of a bullying complaint made by a younger male colleague" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 8/28). ... Former Arsenal goalkeeper MANUEL ALMUNIA "has retired from football after a heart condition was detected at a routine medical."
The Spaniard, "who once considered playing for England after being overlooked by his home country, was close to joining Italian Serie A side Cagliari earlier this month" (PA, 8/28).
