Super League rugby side Wigan Warriors player BEN FLOWER "has been charged by the Rugby Football League with the most serious grade of disciplinary offence for his attack" on St. Helens' LANCE HOHAIA in Saturday's Super League Grand Final, "with the F-level tariff meaning the Wigan prop is facing a suspension of at least eight matches." Hohaia, who was "knocked out by one punch from Flower and then hit by another when he lay on the ground, is also facing disciplinary punishment after being charged with the much less serious Grade B offence of striking the Welshman with his forearm to provoke his violent reaction" (London GUARDIAN, 10/13). ... Former Italian PM SILVIO BERLUSCONI revealed that Real Madrid Manager CARLO ANCELOTTI acted as one of Serie A side AC Milan's "chief transfer
advisors during the previous summer transfer window." Berlusconi: "He's been close to [CEO Adriano] Galliani, and
gave us his approval with regards to the transfers of Diego López, Alex
and Menez" (AS, 10/13). ... AC Milan has “categorically denied” that Ghanaian midfielder MICHAEL ESSIEN has contracted Ebola while on national team duty. Reports in Ghana over the weekend claimed that Essien "was being treated after contracting the deadly virus." AC Milan released a statement that said, “Such reports are totally without foundation and what is more were never confirmed by any employee of the club” (AFP, 10/13). ... Olympic hurdles champion SALLY PEARSON won the 2014 Women's Health Sports Woman of the year award "at the fourth annual ceremony in Sydney." Pearson defended her Commonwealth Games title in the 100m hurdles in Glasgow in August.World Champion canoeist JESSICA FOX "was awarded the Prime Minister's Outstanding Women in Sport Award following her successful defence of the C-1 title at the World Championships," while swimmer EMMA MCKEON took out the "One to Watch" award (BRISBANE TIMES, 10/13).
MOST VALUABLE: Olympic Bronze Medalist M.C. MARY KOM was "chosen as the Most Valuable Player of India's Incheon Asian Games campaign at a felicitation of the medal winners by contingent sponsors Samsung India." Mary Kom "became the first Indian woman boxer to win a gold medal in Asian Games" (PTI, 10/13). ... Australian Rugby Union CEO BILL PULVER on Monday "gave his support" to Wallabies coach EWEN MCKENZIE before this weekend's Bledisloe Cup test against the All Blacks. Pulver "was responding to reports that a coaching change may be imminent in the turmoil surrounding" the KURTLEY BEALE texting scandal. Pulver: "I can confirm the ARU has not had any conversations with any other coaches regarding the Wallabies coaching position" (AFP, 10/13). ... Greek basketball team Olympiakos “made an offer to French basketball team Strasbourg to poach” VINCENT COLLET. One month after leading the French national team to "another podium finish" -- the third in four years -- during the [FIBA] World Cup in Spain, Collet was contacted by “one of the biggest European clubs.” Olympiakos is looking to replace GEORGIOS BARTZOKAS, who did not survive the elimination game against its rival, Panathinaikos, in the Greek Cup quarterfinal on Thursday. Strasbourg President MARTIAL BELLON dismissed the offer and said, “My response was clear, firm and definitive: no. Vincent is not transferable, unless a very, very, very high compensation is paid.” If Olympiakos “does not break the bank to recruit him,” Collet’s contract with Strasbourg will end in June (SPORT24, 10/13).
PISTORIUS SENTENCING: A witness said on Monday that Olympic and Paralympic sprinter OSCAR PISTORIUS "should serve three years of partial house arrest and community service for the negligent killing of his girlfriend." Arguing against a prison term, correctional services social worker JOEL MARINGA said Pistorius was a "cooperative" person who should be sentenced to three years of "correctional supervision," which would mean the athlete would have to spend a portion of the day at home. Maringa also said that Pistorius "should carry out community service, such as sweeping the streets outside museums in Pretoria." State prosecutor GERRIE NEL, "who is pushing for a lengthy prison sentence," described the social worker's recommendations as "shockingly inappropriate" (REUTERS, 10/13). Pistorius’s Manager PEET VAN ZYL "described the athlete’s charitable works for the United Nations Children’s Fund as well as to raise awareness about HIV and malaria." Van Zyl said that tennis player NOVAK DJOKOVIC, British Olympic Association Chair SEBASTIAN COE and former football player BOBBY CHARLTON "asked Pistorius to be involved in their charity works" (BLOOMBERG, 10/13).
IN SPAIN: Spain's District Attorney "is looking to conclude its investigation" into Barcelona's signing of NEYMAR before Christmas. The "only thing the court still needs to make a decision" is a "report from the Spanish tax authorities about the amount the club paid to Brazilian side Santos and how this money was registered in Barcelona's accounts" (EFE, 10/13). ... PETER LIM, who is "close to acquiring La Liga side Valencia," has chosen his confidante, KIM KOH, "as the man to supervise Lim's future investment in the club." Though Lim's acquisition is "still not official," his exec is "gathering information on the day-to-day aspects of the team." Koh has "held various meetings in recent days with leaders of different departments within Valencia, who have detailed to Koh the functions, projects and personnel under their orders" (AS, 10/13).
IN FRANCE: Former President of League Championship side West Ham BJORGOLFUR GUDMUNDSSON was charged in France in a fraud case involving an Icelandic bank that he co-owned. The 74-year-old is "one of 10 people indicted" by the investigating judge RENAUD VAN RUYMBEKE in his inquiry into the mortgage loans granted by the Luxembourg Landsbanki before the financial crisis in ‘08. It is now up to the Paris public prosecutor to submit his case before Van Ruymbeke decides on an "eventual criminal adjournment for the accused persons" (AFP, 10/13).
