The FA said that EPL side Queens Park Rangers defender RIO FERDINAND was harshly punished for comments he made on Twitter because he is a "role model." Ferdinand "was banned for three matches and fined" £25,000 ($40,000) for using the word "sket" -- a promiscuous girl or woman. The FA said, "With nearly 6m followers, Mr Ferdinand is clearly an experienced Twitter user and should know better" (BBC, 11/5). ... At the player’s request and for personal reasons, Ligue 1 side Evian and former French int’l football player GAËL GIVET have reached an agreement to separate amicably (Evian). ... Former Brazilian football int'l ADRIANO “has been charged with links to a drug lord” in Rio de Janeiro. Prosecutors said that Adriano gave a drug dealer a motorbike that was used in criminal activities (BBC, 11/4). ... Former England goalkeeper DAVID JAMES is “to auction hundreds of items of football memorabilia” collected during his career. James, who played for Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City and Portsmouth, was declared bankrupt in May (BBC, 11/4).
METING OUT PUNISHMENT: The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has extended the sanction imposed by UEFA on Italian Football Association (FIGC) President CARLO TAVECCHIO. Tavecchio is ineligible for any position as a FIFA official for a period of six months starting from Oct. 7, 2014. The case relates to racist comments made by Tavecchio during his FIGC presidential election campaign (FIFA). ... India fast bowler BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR "has won this year’s LG People’s Choice Award." He now "becomes only the fourth cricketer" to win the prize. Other nominees were England women’s captain CHARLOTTE EDWARDS, Australia fast bowler MITCHELL JOHNSON, Sri Lanka captain ANGELO MATHEWS and South Africa fast bowler DALE STEYN (ICC). ... Chelsea Manager JOSE MOURINHO admitted that "his criticism of Chelsea's home support
may have gone too far," but said that "it was an emotional response tied to his
affection for the club." The Blues boss felt like Chelsea was playing in an "empty stadium." Supporters "have responded in varying degrees of anger, bemusement and frustration -- as well as agreement -- to Mourinho's jibe" (PA, 11/5).
