North Korean IOC representative CHANG UNG plans to visit South Korea in October "to attend inter-Korean taekwondo events." His scheduled trip is "re-igniting controversy over which of the two Koreas" has the right to operate the Int'l Taekwondo Federation (KOREA TIMES, 7/16). ... ManU's WAYNE ROONEY has "admitted he will consider" following STEVEN GERRARD and FRANK LAMPARD by moving to Major League Soccer at the end of his ManU career. He said, "I'm obviously concentrating on Manchester United. When that time comes, that (MLS) will be something that I will think about" (London TELEGRAPH, 7/16). ... Former Australian Football League side Hawthorn player CAMPBELL BROWN was "tossed off the ground at Lord's before play after wearing another person's accreditation to gain access to the playing field." The now retired backman, "last sighted in the AFL with the Gold Coast Suns" in '13, is in London "after attempting to swim the English Channel at the weekend to raise money for charity" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 7/16). ... Germany striker CELIA SASIC, the top scorer at the Women's World Cup, has retired from football at the age of 27. Sasic, who won 111 caps, "announced her decision to quit on her Facebook page, stating that she wanted to finish her studies and raise a family." Sasic: "I have decided to go a new way and end my playing career" (BBC, 7/16). ... Former League Championship side Leeds United head coach NEIL REDFEARN has resigned as academy boss, "claiming the club made his position 'untenable.'" Redfearn, 49, was replaced as the Championship side's boss by UWE ROSLER in May. He accepted the offer to return to his previous role with the club's academy but said in a statement that "the offer was not genuine" and the club "refused to let him take up the position" (BBC, 7/16). ... Former Brazil int'l RIVALDO and his 20-year-old son RIVALDINHO "both scored goals" for Brazilian second division side Mogi Mirim in a 3-1 win over Macae. The 43-year-old Rivaldo, who is also the club's president, "came out of retirement to help his team overcome a difficult start in this year's championship" (REUTERS, 7/15).
JOCKEY RECEIVES BAN: Jockey ALEX LAI HOI-WING was given an "extra long summer break by racing stewards" after being found guilty of "breaching the running and handling rules on GOOD METHOD at the season finale at Sha Tin on Sunday." Lai has a right of appeal remaining but, as it stands, he will be missing until late October after a 14-meeting suspension (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 7/16).
AIMAR RETIRES: Argentine footballer PABLO AIMAR has retired at 35 after failing to overcome a series of injuries with Argentine first division club River Plate. Aimar played for La Liga side Valencia from '01-06, winning the league in '02 and '04. Valencia tweeted, "One of the most admired players by the Valencian fanbase, Pablo #Aimar, retires from football #GraciasAimar" (ESPN, 7/15).
