MANNY PACQUIAO will arrive on Wednesday in Manila via Philippine Airlines and is "expected to receive a hero’s welcome from Filipino fans" at the Ninoy Aquino Int'l Airport in Pasay City. Despite his unanimous decision loss to undefeated FLOYD MAYWEATHER on May 2 in Las Vegas, many Filipinos "believe that Pacquiao won the bout dubbed as the Fight of the Century" (MANILA TIMES, 5/11). ... Former Spanish handball club BM Granollers player ALBERT LÓPEZ ORTEGA died of cancer on Monday at the age of 21. He was first diagnosed with cancer in '10 (EFE, 5/11). ... HAILE GEBRSELASSIE has announced his retirement from competitive running. The 42-year-old Ethiopian "confirmed his decision after finishing 16th in the Great Manchester Run on Sunday." It brings to an end a 25-year career in which he "claimed two Olympic gold medals, eight World Championship victories and set 27 world records." Gebrselassie: "I'm retiring from competitive running, not from running. You cannot stop running, this is my life" (BBC, 5/10). ... Scotland's "most-capped" rugby player EUAN MURRAY will "not feature at this year's World Cup after announcing his international retirement." The 34-year-old "won his 66th cap against Ireland in March, the closing match of a Six Nations whitewash." Murray: "I will retire with many great memories of victories, tours, and friends, both in the playing squad and team management" (BBC, 5/11). ... Belgian lower-league defender TIM NICOT, 23, died on Monday after "suffering a heart attack during a friendly on Saturday, the second such death in Belgium in two weeks." In an incident likely to "increase calls for more cardiac screening of young players," Antwerp club Beerschot Wilrijk said that Nicot died in hospital after "collapsing at a post-season tournament following their promotion to the Third Division" (REUTERS, 5/11). ... Scottish Premiership side St. Mirren has "refused to rule out" GARY TEALE from staying on as manager as it kickstarted its boss hunt on Monday. The Paisley club has released a statement that reveals it has now begun its process of "looking for a permanent manager." But Teale, who was "handed the reins until the end of the season, is still in the frame if he wants the job" (Scotland DAILY RECORD, 5/11).
CAUSING A RUCKUS: For the third year running after the "ruckus he had created" in '12, Bollywood actor SHAH RUKH KHAN will "not be allowed to witness the key" Indian Premier League cricket contest between his side Kolkata Knight Riders and home team Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on May 14. A Mumbai Cricket Association official said, "No, he will not be allowed as the ban continues." The MCA "banned him for five years from entering their premises, including the Wankhede Stadium, after the actor was involved in an ugly skirmish with security staff and officials" following KKR's victory over MI on May 16, 2012 at the stadium (PTI, 5/11). ... Footballer PAUL ANDERSON has "offered to pay for damage caused when a fan momentarily 'lost it' and punched a hole in a ceiling while celebrating his goal." ROSS MORGAN, 25, was watching the playoff match between League Championship sides Ipswich and Norwich on TV at home on Saturday when Anderson "equalised." In his excitement, Morgan "jumped and put a fist-sized hole in the ceiling." After he tweeted a photograph of the damage, Anderson "offered to foot the bill" (BBC, 5/11).
