Former F1 driver MARK WEBBER said he was "pretty bruised" and
had a "stinking headache" after a crash in a World Endurance
Championship race. Webber spent the night in a local hospital "after the accident in Sunday's Six Hours of Sao Paulo event." Webber: "I've got no recollection of the accident or how it happened -- the team is looking into the details" (BBC, 12/1). ... Asian Football Confederation player of the year nominee NASSER AL SHAMRANI "has been banned for eight matches for spitting and head butting" A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers defender MATTHEW SPIRANOVIC after the final of the Asian Champions League earlier this month. The Saudi striker's ban, the "least he could have received after being found guilty, is only for matches in the ACL" (REUTERS, 11/30). ... ROY KEANE quit as assistant manager at EPL side Aston Villa, saying it was "too hard to balance the job with his responsibilities with a similar post with the Irish national team." His resignation takes "immediate effect," and Manager PAUL LAMBERT will decide on a replacement "as soon as it is practically possible" (BLOOMBERG, 11/28). ... The challenge facing CHED EVANS "to return to English football was laid bare"
after League One side Oldham Athletic became the "latest club to distance themselves from the
convicted rapist." The club said in a statement, "The board of directors would like to confirm that we will not be extending an
invitation for Ched Evans to train with Oldham Athletic nor will we be
offering him a contract" (LONDON TIMES, 12/1). ... Australian rugby player DAVID POCOCK has received a "formal written warning
from the Australian Rugby Union following his arrest in a coal mine
protest in north-west NSW." The injured former captain "chained
himself to machinery with several others on Sunday, as about 30
protesters joined a blockade at the Maules Creek mine in the Leard
Forest" (AAP, 12/1). ... Former French tennis player YANNICK NOAH, who captained France to the 1991 and 1996 Davis Cup title, “is ready to return to the hot-seat, but only if all five of the country’s top players ask him.” Noah, the last Frenchman to win a Grand Slam title when he triumphed on home ground at Roland Garros in ‘83, said that “he would be interested in the Davis Cup job if he was wanted by the whole squad” (AFP, 12/1). ... KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN “is set for a change of race engineer at the Ferrari Formula 1 team next year,” with former Marussia Chief Engineer DAVID GREENWOOD “likely to get the role.” Greenwood “has already been recruited by Ferrari following the recent collapse of Marussia” (AUTOSPORT, 12/1). ... Former Arsenal striker THIERRY HENRY has left MLS side New York Red Bulls "after four-and-a-half years" with the club. Henry: "The decision has always been that I would leave after the duration of my contract. I'll take the next few weeks to decide on the next chapter of my career" (BBC, 12/1). ... Top 14 rugby side Toulouse extended the contract of MAXIME MÉDARD for four seasons, the club announced Monday. The fullback will be under contract with the club until ’18-19 (L’EQUIPE, 12/1).
