FIFA President SEPP BLATTER will not attend the U20 World Cup final in Auckland on Saturday. The Swiss football boss had "initially been expected to make the trek to New Zealand from Europe for the tournament final." But after his organization was "engulfed in a massive corruption scandal in late May it appears more pressing issues in his backyard will take precedence" (STUFF, 6/16). ... ITV Sport is turning to former England midfielder GLENN HODDLE to be its "co-commentator for England matches next season and at Euro 2016." Hoddle will be replacing former footballer ANDY TOWNSEND, who is "leaving ITV by mutual consent at the end of his contract and with ITV losing the live Champions League rights to BT Sport." Hoddle will be part of BT Sport's Champions League coverage having "turned down an offer to stay at Sky" (London DAILY MAIL, 6/15). ... Brazilian sports commentator HERBERT FONTENELE died on Tuesday aged 73. Fontenele "fought against prostate cancer" since '09 (IMIRANTE ESPORTE, 6/16). ... Int'l Cycling Union (UCI) President BRIAN COOKSON visited the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, for the inaugural European Games. He met with Cycling Federation of Azerbaijan (AVIF) President FAZIL MAMMADOV, VP SAHIB ALAKBAROV and Secretary General FAHRAD ALIYEV. Topics of discussion included UCI Europe Tour event the Tour d'Azerbaijan, the development of cycling throughout the country and the AVIF's bid to host the 2018 UCI BMX World Championships (UCI).
