Australian Rugby League side Sunshine Coast prop JAMES ACKERMAN has passed away on Monday, two days after "being felled in a tackle in Brisbane." Ackerman was playing for the Falcons against the Norths Devils at Bishop Park on Saturday when he was "hurt in a tackle in just the fourth minute." The Intrust Super Cup game was "called off as Ackerman suffered a major brain injury" (Brisbane COURIER-MAIL, 6/22). ... Former Brasileiro side Flamengo defender and coach CARLINHOS died on Monday at the age of 77. Carlinhos, who "won two titles" during the 1958 Rio de Janeiro State Championship and the 1969 Rio-São Paulo Championship, received an honorary square at the club's HQ in Gávea in '11 (FOLHA DE SÃO PAULO, 6/22). ... Chilean footballer ARTURO VIDAL has agreed to donate his Copa América tournament fee to charity to "go some way in rectifying" his recent behavior off the pitch. Vidal crashed his £230,000 ($364,000) red Ferrari while "under the influence of alcohol" the night after his team drew 3-3 with Mexico. Vidal and eight Chile internationals, including GARY MEDEL, are "working on which charity is most worthy" of Vidal's donation (London DAILY MAIL, 6/22). ... Real Madrid's CRISTIANO RONALDO is said to be "over the moon" due to the recently discovered galaxy named "CR7" in his honor. The lead astronomer in the latest discovery "hails from Portugal and
is said to be a huge fan of his compatriot, and chose to honor him by
naming his discovery after the footballer's nickname" (AL ARABIYA, 6/21).
