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Names In The News

Former Olympic judo champion ISABEL FERNÁNDEZ has been named first VP of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE). Fernández replaces THERESA ZABELL, who resigned on Sept. 30 after seven years in the position (EFE, 12/16). ... F1 driver LEWIS HAMILTON has signed with WME-IMG "to expand his popularity, and that of Formula One's." The talent agency "will help him pursue opportunities in his other varied interests, which include music, fashion and film" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 12/15). ... The Victorian racing industry "was in mourning on Tuesday after the death" of horse trainer ROSS MCDONALD, aged 68. McDonald reportedly "lost a five-month battle with heart problems, eventually succumbing to complications including pneumonia" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 12/16).

POLISHING IMAGE: German FA (DFB) President WOLFGANG NIERSBACH "wants to help improve the image" of FIFA, if voted onto its exec committee next year. The 64-year-old "is hoping to be presented as Europe's candidate to join FIFA's executive committee when the continent's governing body UEFA meets in Vienna in May" (AFP, 12/16). ...  The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said that Serie A side Sampdoria President MASSIMO FERRERO "has been handed a three-month ban" and given fines totaling €45,000 ($56,300) for racist slurs aimed at Inter Milan President ERICK THOHIR. Ferrero, a film director who took over the Genoa-based club at the end of last season, "caused an uproar" in October after referring to Thohir, an Indonesian, as a "Filipino" during a TV interview on Rai Sport (AFP, 12/16). ... Serie A side AS Roma coach RUDI GARCIA "has been banned for two matches after a scuffle with a steward" after Roma's weekend fixture with Genoa. Garcia "had attempted to slap a steward in the bad-tempered aftermath of the game" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 12/16). ... Golfer RORY MCILROY was "named Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year for 2014" (SKY SPORTS, 12/16). ... ManU midfielder ANDER HERRERA insists that "he has never been involved in match-fixing." Herrera: "I have never had and will never have anything to do with manipulating match results. If I am ever called to testify in any judicial hearing, I'll be happy to attend, as my conscience is clear" (BBC, 12/16).

PUT ME IN COACH: World No. 7 tennis player TOMAS BERDYCH appointed ANDY MURRAY's former coach DANI VALLVERDU "for the 2015 season." Vallverdu, 28, "left Murray's coaching team last month after five years, in a split described as 'mutual'" (BBC, 12/16). ... Athletics Kenya said that Kenyan runners VIOLA CHELANGAT KIMETTO and JOYCE JEMUTAI KIPLIMO "failed drug tests" and have been banned for two years. Both women "tested positive for norandrosterone, a metabolite of nandrolone" (BBC, 12/15). ... Former JJB Sports CEO CHRIS RONNIE "has been jailed for four years for fraud." Ronnie "was found guilty" of receiving secret payments of more than £1M, linked to sportswear deals that were not declared to the company’s board when he was CEO between Aug. '07 and March '09 (FINANCIAL TIMES, 12/15).

HENRY TO SKY SPORTS: Former Arsenal striker THIERRY HENRY has "announced his retirement from football and that he will return to London to take up a role in the media" as a pundit for Sky Sports. He left Major League Soccer side N.Y. Red Bulls "at the start of the month" but there was "speculation he might choose to play on at another club." However, the former France int'l and World Cup winner has "instead called time on a trophy-laden career, which has included spells with Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona and the Red Bulls." When asked if he had "thought about another stint in north London," Henry said, "You kind of never leave Arsenal. How many comebacks do you make? At one point it will turn out to be a bad movie. We all love the first Rocky but I'm not too sure about the last one" (PA, 12/16).

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