BuzzFeed UK "is expanding its coverage into sports" with the hiring of former Mirror Deputy Head of Social Content RICHARD BEECH, who "will focus on football."
At the Mirror, Beech "initially worked on MirrorFootball before moving into the social content teams behind UsVsTh3m, Ampp3d and football project MirrorRowZ" (London GUARDIAN, 5/29). ...
Argentine side Huracán de Carlos Tejedor player MAXIMILIANO GIL "passed away" on Friday. Gil was in the hospital when he "suffered cardiac arrest" during a match against Social de Tres Algarrobos (UOL, 5/31). ... A Real Madrid vice-president "has given the strongest indication yet" that RAFAEL BENITEZ "is to be appointed head coach at the Spanish club."
Speaking at a Madrid fans' meeting on Saturday, EDUARDO FERNANDEZ DE BLA said, "CARLO ANCELOTTI is a phenomenon.
"He was the best coach in the world, just as JOSÉ MOURINHO was two years ago and, from this week, Benitez will be" (BBC, 5/31). ... Boxer CARL FRAMPTON "has signed a deal to work with the increasingly influential, if mysterious, boxing adviser" AL HAYMON.
The Belfast fighter confirmed the development on Thursday evening, though he "will continue to be managed" by BARRY MCGUIGAN (London DAILY MAIL, 5/28). ... YAYA TOURÉ will stay at Man City "after a personal intervention" from club Owner SHEIKH MANSOUR.
Touré's agent, DIMITRI SELUK, had said at the start of the month he was "90 per cent certain" to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer. Seluk: "Yaya is staying -- because Sheikh Mansour told him he must stay" (LONDON TIMES, 5/31). ... Former England captain RIO FERDINAND "has retired from football, days after being released by Queens Park Rangers."
The 36-year-old said it was "the right time" to retire from "the game I love."
London-born Ferdinand, who had 12 years at ManU after spells with West Ham and Leeds, "last played for QPR in March" (BBC, 5/30). ... EPL side Leicester City has "launched an internal investigation after a newspaper report said three players, including the manager's son, were filmed in an orgy with a Thai woman, who was racially abused."
A video obtained by Britain's Sunday Mirror newspaper allegedly shows defender JAMES PEARSON, 22, "naked in a hotel room." It was alleged he was joined by striker TOM HOPPER, 21, and goalkeeper ADAM SMITH, 22 (AFP, 6/1).
