Argentine RICARDO GARECA "declined to manage the Costa Rican national team." He was considered "the likely new coach after visiting following an invitation to the country by the Costa Rican Football Federation, which had hoped to sign him for four years, with an eye on Russia 2018." He declined the offer on Friday (DPA, 12/14). ... French biathlete ALEXIS BOEUF has decided to end his career. The 28-year-old, who has been “one of the pillars” of the French biathlon team since ’08, announced his decision Friday (L’EQUIPE, 12/13). ... The FA of Zambia has confirmed three Zambia national team players have been involved in a road accident. NYAMBE MULENGA, who plays for Zesco United, CHANGWE KALALE of Power Dynamos and SATCHMO CHAKAWA from Green Eagles were “reportedly travelling to Lusaka on a Zesco United Football Club minibus.” The minibus collided with another vehicle in Kabwe. FAZ said there have been fatalities and that Mulenga “has broken a leg” (BBC, 12/14). ... Int'l Biathlon Union VP GOTTLIEB TASCHLER "provisionally stepped down amid allegations he helped his son obtain doping substances" from banned doctor MICHELE FERRARI. Taschler said, "I will temporarily suspend all my current roles within the IBU. This is my personal decision; effective immediately and to remain in effect until these serious accusations are proven invalid." Italian media reported Wednesday that prosecutors are investigating Taschler for allegedly connecting his son DANIEL, who made his debut on the biathlon World Cup in ‘11, with Ferrari in an “apparent attempt to obtain the banned blood booster EPO” (AP, 12/13). ... ELTON JOHN “opened a new stand named after him” at English Championship club Watford's Vicarage Road ground on Saturday, describing it as "one of the greatest days of my life" (REUTERS, 12/13).
