Brazilian MMA fighter ANDERSON SILVA announced Monday his "immense desire" to participate in the Rio Olympic Games "in another category, taekwondo." In a letter Silva wrote to Brazilian Taekwondo Federation (CBTKD) President CARLOS FERNANDES, he said, "It would be a great honor to be part of this golden team ... . Thus, I register here my desire to represent Taekwondo and Brazil in the Olympic Games Rio 2016." Fernandes "has not yet made a public announcement on the subject, but said he would meet" with Silva this week to evaluate the possibility (GLOBO ESPORTE, 4/13). ... The referee for the FLOYD MAYWEATHER "megafight" with MANNY PACQUIAO, which is expected to gross $400M, will earn $10,000 for "handling the contest." Mayweather and Pacquiao are expected to earn £82M ($120.4M) and £54.5M ($79.3M), respectively. KENNY BAYLESS and TONY WEEKS have "emerged as the frontrunners from six possible referees" (London TELEGRAPH, 4/12). ... After an accident that left her paralyzed in the beginning of '14, Brazilian former gymnast LAÍS SOUZA "could find a new career path soon." SporTV is "negotiating" with Souza to become a commentator for the Pan American Games of this year. Everything "is in talks, but should" Souza strike a deal with SporTV, she would also be a commentator the next Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (NATELINHA, 4/12). ... Spain's Supreme Court has annulled the fine of €6.8M that former Spanish second division side Alavés President DIMITRY PITERMAN owed the club after a local court ruled "he brought the team into bankruptcy" in '07. Piterman appealed that ruling, "and the Supreme Court ruled in his favor" (EFE, 4/13). ... Former Spanish Motorcycling Federation (RFME) President JOAN MORETA died on Monday. He was president of the RFME from May '07-June '12, and was also a member of the Int'l Motorcycling Federation's (FIM) administrative council from '09-14 (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 4/13). ... ManU players GARY NEVILLE, PHIL NEVILLE and PAUL SCHOLES "showed off their netball skills" when they joined Netball Superleague side Manchester Thunder to promote the semifinals. The Thunder "filmed a lip-sync version of 'Is This The Way To Amarillo'" featuring its own players and coaches alongside England women's footballers and several soap stars. Scholes and the Neville brothers "put in a brief appearance," first throwing a netball to each other, and then, "somewhat awkwardly, clicking along to the music" (London DAILY MAIL, 4/13). ... BRIAN LEUNG HUNG-TAK "wants a final term" as Hong Kong FA chairman in order to "take care of unfinished business." The body will "elect its office bearers" in June and Leung's post is "expected to be uncontested." Leung has been "at the helm" since '07, but the next four years would be his last term under the new constitution (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 4/13).
LAWYERS REQUEST SENTENCES: Lawyers representing Spain have requested a sentence of two years and three months in prison for Barcelona President JOSEP MARÍA BARTOMEU and a sentence of six years and nine months for his predecessor, SANDRO ROSELL, for their "alleged involvement in financial misdemeanors" relating to the signing of NEYMAR. The legal sources requested the same sentence as the district attorney for Bartomeu, but a reduced sentence from the district attorney's call for seven years and three months for Rosell. The lawyers also accused Barcelona of three counts of finance-related felonies in '11, '13 and '14, demanding that the club pay €11.4M "as a means of compensation" (EFE, 4/13).
SALUZZI SUSPENDED: Sky Italia opened disciplinary action against PAOLA SALUZZI for insults she directed at FERNANDO ALONSO on Twitter. She tweeted, "Alonso: recovered his memory and reminded us of how arrogant and envious he has become. An imbecile." Sky Italia has suspended Saluzzi, calling her comments "irresponsible" (SPORT, 4/13).
