Int'l Ski Federation (FIS) President GIAN FRANCO KASPER "has hinted at stepping down from his position at the end of his current term in '18." Kasper: "My name isn't JOSEPH BLATTER. You have to be reasonable. I know that I have to stop at some point." Kasper become the federation's fourth president in '98. He added, "I assume that I will complete the four-year term " (SID, 10/2). ... Former ManU player JI-SUNG PARK will make a return to the club as he takes up his post as club ambassador. To celebrate his appointment, Park will be invited to Old Trafford once again with former Manager ALEX FERGUSON before kickoff at the team’s home fixture against EPL side Everton on Sunday (ManU). ... Former England cricketer KEVIN PIETERSEN's registration with Surrey has been canceled, "leaving the England and Wales Cricket Board unable to take any action" against him before the publication of his autobiography next week. It also means Pietersen "is free to take part in the Big Bash in Australia this winter and the Indian Premier League next year having previously required the ECB’s permission" (London GUARDIAN, 10/3). ... RIO FERDINAND "responded to Kick It Out’s criticism of him by describing football’s leading anti-racism organisation as 'pointless.'" Kick It Out Chair HERMAN OUSELEY defended the organization after Ferdinand described them as "useless" in his book #2sides over its handling of the race trial involving his younger brother, ANTON, and JOHN TERRY (GUARDIAN, 10/2). ... Spanish tennis player GUILLERMO OLASO "lost his appeal against a five-year ban for match-fixing." In dismissing Olaso's case on Thursday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said "the sanction was proportionate and appropriate in the circumstances" (AP, 10/2).
'CLOSE AND PERSONAL': Top-hatted American guitarist SLASH, "whose job it is to fire up the 80,000-plus crowd" before Sunday's National Rugby League sides Rabbitohs vs. Bulldogs decider, "has only ever seen" one rugby league match -- when eventual finalists the Dragons beat the Roosters in '10. But it left "quite an impression" on the former Guns N' Roses guitarist, who admits he "was never a jock" and "hardly follows" any pro sports at home in the U.S. Slash: "It was f---ing great. I'd never seen it up close and personal like that" (CANBERRA TIMES, 10/2).
