Sauber announced that Brazil's FELIPE NASR will drive for the team in '15, "joining fellow new recruit" MARCUS ERICSSON (BBC, 11/6). ... The FA has charged League Championship side Millwall Assistant Manager MARK BIRCHAM and Blackburn Rovers first-team coach CRAIG SHORT "with improper conduct" relating to their behavior in a row "which erupted on the touchline during Tuesday's 2-2 draw at The Den." Bircham and Short have until 6pm on Monday to respond (BBC, 11/6). ... Romanian world No. 4 SIMONA HALEP "has split" with her Belgian coach WIM FISSETTE. Halep: "My collaboration with Wim Fissette will come to an end, following a mutual agreement." The announcement "came a week after Halep was beaten" by world No. 1 SERENA WILLIAMS in the WTA championship final in Singapore (REUTERS, 11/6). ... Former Wales wing SHANE WILLIAMS "has confirmed his retirement from rugby to focus on a coaching career" (BBC, 11/6). ... Outspoken critic of the Hong Kong Triathlon Association (TriHK) ANDREW WRIGHT "has put his name forward for election" to the exec committee at its annual meeting on Friday. The association, "which is fighting to keep its privileged status as an elite sport at the Hong Kong Sports Institute next April," will elect a new committee after incumbent President ERIK CHAN KIT-BUN retired (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 11/6). ... MIKKO HIRVONEN "announced his retirement from the World Rally Championship after next week's Rally GB." After 13 years in the championship, 34-year-old Hirvonen said that he "is looking forward to spending more time with his family" (EUROSPORT, 11/6).
IN FRANCE: Ligue 1 side Bordeaux coach WILLY SAGNOL "was forced to apologise
on Thursday after comments he made on African players earlier this week
sparked a major racism row within French football." Sagnol said, "[If] I
may have shocked, humiliated or hurt people then I am sorry.” Sagnol's
comments in Tuesday’s interview "provoked stern rebukes from anti-racism
groups and a host of prominent figures in French football," including
his former Monaco teammate LILIAN THURAM. Thuram, who is now a leading anti-racism campaigner, said he was "surprised" and "disappointed" by the remarks (FRANCE 24, 11/6). ... Top 14 rugby club Bordeaux-Begles announced the contract extensions of three players. Prop JEAN-BAPTISTE POUX committed for an additional year and is now bound to the club until ’16. Fullback ROMAIN LONCA has signed for two more years and will be with the club until ’17. And lastly, fly-half BAPTISTE SERIN extended for four years (L’EQUIPE, 11/6). ... The French National Rugby League has decided to impose a 15-week suspension on Top 14 side Racing Metro 92 coach LAURENT LABIT for his words toward the referee following the match against Stade Français on Oct. 11. Labit accused referee JACOB VAN HEERDEN
of “stealing” from his team, after two yellow cards were imposed on his
team, and also pointed to “the amateurism” of the South African
official. At the time, he was already serving a 10-week suspension for
his “midconduct” to another referee. Racing Metro 92 will also have to
pay a fine of €50,000 ($61,961) (L’EQUIPE, 11/6).
