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Names In The News

A street in the Sarandí district of Buenos Aires bordering Argentine first division side Arsenal's stadium "was officially named" after former Argentine FA President JULIO HUMBERTO GRONDONA "during a ceremony on Friday." Grondona's sons JULIO RICARDO, the Arsenal president, and HUMBERTO -- coach of Argentina's U20 team -- attended the presentation (CLARIN, 12/20). ... Former Japan international KAZUYOSHI MIURA has "agreed to extend his contract for another season at the second division side Yokohama FC, with his new deal taking the former Genoa striker beyond his 48th birthday." Already "acknowledged as the oldest active professional player, Miura this week put pen to paper on a new contract having made four appearances for his club this season" (London GUARDIAN, 12/19). ... Ferrari has hired former Toro Rosso driver JEAN-ERIC VERGNE to "work on car development in their simulator." The Frenchman was "dropped by the Red Bull junior team last month and had been looking for a new role in F1." He replaces Spaniard PEDRO DE LA ROSA (BBC, 12/19).

MEET THE PRESS: The Japan FA announced that "embattled" Japan Manager JAVIER AGUIRRE will "hold a news conference to offer an explanation regarding match-fixing charges that have been leveled at him in Spain." Arrangements "are being made so the news conference can be held before Aguirre's squad is to begin training for next month's Asian Cup on Dec. 29" (JAPAN TIMES, 12/21). ... Former National Rugby League player JARRYD HAYNE "has an NFL team and will officially start training in the New Year." The 26-year-old could not "confirm the team, but said 'you will find out in the due course.'" Hayne: "The biggest hurdle was the visa and they can't get it sorted out until just after Christmas. ... You can't even be in the facility for longer than 24 hours if you haven't signed a contract and I couldn't sign a contract without a visa" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 12/21). ... Kenya's athletics federation said on Friday that marathon runner RITA JEPTOO's "B" sample tested positive, "confirming an earlier test that found traces of a banned performance enhancer." Jeptoo is a three-time winner of the Boston Marathon and two-time winner in Chicago. She is "one of the highest profile Kenyan athletes to fail a doping test" (AP, 12/19).

HANGING IT UP: French sports journalist JEAN-PAUL OLLIVIER, "known for his encyclopedic knowledge of the history of the Tour de France," is leaving his role Sunday on the France 2 sports program “Stade 2” after 40 years. The TV network said, “After more than 50 years in journalism, 40 Tours de France and 40 years on Stade 2 to his credit, Jean-Paul Ollivier takes a bow Sunday on the set of the show which he helped create in 1975” (20 MINUTES, 12/21). ... DIEGO MARADONA renewed his contract with Venezuelan TV station Telesur, "which in April had invited him to be a commentator during the World Cup in Brazil." Maradona will "also star in a movie" that Telesur is preparing about the show "De Zurda" or "From the Left," which he hosted in collaboration with Uruguayan journalist VICTOR HUGO MORALES during this year's football championship (REUTERS, 12/20).

TEXT TROUBLE: EPL side Blackpool Chair KARL OYSTON could face an investigation by the FA after "allegedly sending abusive text messages to a supporter." Businessman STEVE SMITH had contacted Oyston to “question the running of the club.” The result prompted Blackpool manager LEE CLARK to apologize to fans, but Oyston “appeared less conciliatory, allegedly branding Smith a ‘retard’ and an ‘intellectual cripple’” (London TELEGRAPH, 12/21). ... Pakistan cricketer SHAHID AFRIDI on Sunday announced that he will retire from one-day int’ls after the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The former Pakistan captain said he “would, after the 50-over showpiece event, give full time to his role as the captain of the national T20 side” leading up to the World Cup in ’16 (PTI, 12/21). ... Real Madrid forward CRISTIANO RONALDO “had a giant statue erected” in his honor. The “life-size replica of the Madrid maestro sees him in his infamous free-kick pose,” and large crowds gathered to see the unveiling on Sunday. The former ManU man was at the presentation (DAILY MAIL, 12/21).

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