Spanish PM MARIANO RAJOY said of the "recent strife" in Spanish football, "I must say that there is deep concern over football violence. A number of important measures have already been undertaken, but there will be more where they came from in order to eradicate this scourge. However, it is important that the clubs cooperate. It's vital" (MARCA, 12/7). ... North Korea's preparations for the Asian Cup "have suffered a blow" after the Asian Football Confederation suspended head coach YUN JONG SU for 12 months. The AFC said on its website that while Yun could still register as a team official, attend training sessions, and undertake other football-related activities, he "was banned from entering the dressing room or the area surrounding the field of play" (REUTERS, 12/7). ... Gabon midfielder GUELOR KANGA "has been banned for three matches by the Russian Football Union for gesturing at fans who he claims racially abused him." The FC Rostov player, 24, said that "he was targeted with monkey chants by Spartak Moscow fans." He responded with what the RFU ruled to be an "insulting gesture to fans" and was also fined 50,000 rubles ($950) (BBC, 12/5).
STAYING PUT: TV presenter CLARE BALDING "has been signed up to lead Channel 4’s coverage of the Rio 2016
Paralympic Games as part of a new two-year deal with the broadcaster." Balding
"will also continue to host Crufts in 2015 and 2016, as well as leading
coverage of the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot in 2015." The new contract will see Balding "scale back her anchor coverage of racing after Royal Ascot" (BREAKING NEWS, 12/6). ... The British exec arrested during the Brazil World Cup "on suspicion of racketeering, money laundering and ticket scalping has returned to Brazil." RAY WHELAN "denies the charges." He is "accused with at least 10 others of forming an organized crime syndicate" to sell tickets at inflated prices (BLOOMBERG, 12/5). ... Champion jockey CHAD SCHOFIELD "has two broken arms following a fall at Geelong races." The 20-year-old "fractured both upper arms when he was dislodged from Classic Charm near the 900m mark of the Briseis Cup" (HERALD SUN, 12/8).
GETTING THE BOOT: German footballer MARIO GOETZE's World Cup-winning left shoe "has fetched a donation" of €2M ($2.5M) at a children’s charity gala in Germany and is headed for a museum. Goetze "had offered the boot to whoever made the highest bid" during an annual charity gala, “A Heart for Children,” on ZDF public TV Saturday night. An anonymous donor gave €2M (AP, 12/7). ... Olympic skeleton champion LIZZY YARNOLD "has been appointed MBE by the Queen for services to sport." The 26-year-old won Great Britain's only Gold Medal "at the Sochi Games in the women's skeleton" (BBC, 12/5).
