Spanish MotoGP driver MARC MÁRQUEZ "will soon leave his home and move to Andorra." He has reportedly requested residence there from the Andorra government and "will receive it in the coming weeks." The "move is for fiscal reasons, as Márquez could enjoy tax benefits in the small country in the Pyrenees" (AS, 12/7). ... Cricket ACT will seek advice from Cricket Australia for the "best way to replace" outgoing CEO MARK VERGANO. Cricket ACT Chair IAN MCNAMEE will also fly to Adelaide to "meet Cricket Australia officials this week and the search for Vergano's replacement" will be based on the new "One Team" strategy (CANBERRA TIMES, 12/8). ... Former Tottenham Hotspur striker and current BBC presenter GARY LINEKER came to the defense of Arsenal Manager ARSENE WENGER on Monday after he was "jeered by Gunners fans following their 3-2 defeat at Stoke City in the Premier League on Saturday." Videos posted on YouTube appear to show Wenger, 65, "being jeered and sworn at by fans as he boarded his train." Lineker tweeted, "Just saw the Wenger abuse video. Disgustingly disrespectful and totally inexcusable, regardless of any football results" (REUTERS, 12/8).
... LAETITIA BECK became the first Israeli golfer to qualify as a "fully-fledged PGA or LPGA Tour player on Sunday night." Beck was among 20 players who "earned membership through category 12 on the LPGA Tour priority list, meaning she will be a full-time player on tour next season" (JERUSALEM POST, 12/8). ... Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development, the private equity company formed to take over Man City in '08 and owned by SHEIKH MANSOUR, "has purchased the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi" (HOTELIER MIDDLE EAST, 12/7). ... The Andretti Formula E Team announced that Frenchman JEAN-ÉRIC VERGNE will drive for the squad at this weekend’s FIA Formula E Championship Punta del Este ePrix. The 24-year-old has three seasons of F1 experience and has participated in seven championships throughout his career, recording 40 victories and 68 podiums (Formula E). ... ROGER FEDERER "gave a lukewarm response" to the Int'l Premier Tennis League after making his debut for the Indian Aces. Federer: "My mind was definitely scrambling trying to remember all the rules." He said that he found some of the rules "strange" and others unnecessary (REUTERS, 12/8).
HUGHES SERVICE CANCELED: A state memorial service for cricketer PHILLIP HUGHES has been canceled. New South Wales Premier MIKE BAIRD said that the decision "followed consultation with Cricket Australia and Hughes's family." Baird: "All parties felt that given the enormous outpouring of support at last Wednesday's funeral, a state memorial service would no longer need to be held" (BBC, 12/8). ... Australian cricket captain MICHAEL CLARKE, who has been under "intense
emotional stress after the passing away of his brother-like mate Phillip
Hughes, has been relieved of addressing the customary press conference
on Monday ahead of the first Test against India" (PTI, 12/6).
