Dressage rider SAMANTHA CAWKWELL, who was "on the verge of international selection," died after being kicked in the head by one of her own stallions. She was "found injured in a field beside her home after she had gone to bring the horse back into its stable for the night on Sunday." She was pronounced dead in hospital (LONDON TIMES, 7/21). ... British comedian SIMON BRODKIN is to be charged with trespassing by Swiss authorities after interrupting FIFA President SEPP BLATTER's news conference and showering him with fake money. A police spokesperson said, "He will be charged for trespassing because he wasn't allowed to enter the building" (BBC, 7/21). ... Former ManU Manager ALEX FERGUSON will launch his new book Leading "by carrying out a tour" around the U.K. in September. He will answer questions during an on-stage interview at each location in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Aberdeen (SPORTS MOLE, 7/21). ... A horse believed to be valued at more than A$100,000 ($74,235) has been slain at a property on the Mornington Peninsula. Fourteen-year-old ARRIERE was "found with a bullet wound to the head at the farm in Balnarring." Police said that the bullet "is believed to have been fired at close range" (THE AGE, 7/21). ... League Championship side Queens Park Rangers Owner TONY FERNANDES, the Malaysian entrepreneur behind AirAsia, "has suffered a setback to his budget hotel business, which has lost half of its estate after its partner in Asia checked out." The blow to Tune Hotels "is the latest knock" for Fernandes, whose low-cost airline business has "plummeted in value this year following criticism from analysts over its accounting practices, cash flow and leverage" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 7/21). ... Former footballer DICK NANNINGA, who scored for the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup final, "has died at the age of 66," his former club Roda JC Kerkrade said. He is "one of only two Dutch players to score in a World Cup final" (REUTERS, 7/21).
MESSI ACCUSED: It was claimed on Tuesday that LIONEL MESSI received at least £2.4M ($3.7M) in cash for "supporting one of the most corrupt dictators in Africa." The 28-year-old "caused outrage at the weekend when he arrived in Gabon, the former French colony," as a guest of Gabon President ALI BONGO. He was "officially laying the foundation stones for a new stadium in the city of Port-Gentil" (London DAILY MAIL, 7/21).
F1 SAYS FAREWELL: The pall bearers at JULES BIANCHI's funeral were "some of the best known names in motor racing" -- Williams driver FELIPE MASSA, Ferrari driver SEBASTIAN VETTEL and Williams reserve driver ADRIAN SUTIL, who was "closest to the moment" when Bianchi's car smashed into the back of a recovery tractor "in an accident that eventually claimed his life." F1 gathered to "say farewell to one of their own." Crowds of "well-wishers gathered outside the Cathedral of Sainte Reparate in Nice's old town." There were "ripples of applause when the coffin appeared, Bianchi's colourful race helmet on top," and the bells of the Gothic cathedral tolled as PHILIPPE and CHRISTINE, Bianchi's parents, and TOM and MELANIE, his brother and sister, "greeted the luminaries from the sport he loved." Mercedes driver LEWIS HAMILTON arrived alongside NICO ROSBERG, his teammate and rival for this year's championship, followed by FIA President JEAN TODT, who is "also a family friend" (LONDON TIMES, 7/21).
WEBB SECURES BOND: Former FIFA VP JEFFREY WEBB "has provided 11 luxury watches" to secure the $10M bond that "enabled his release from custody, along with his wife's wedding ring, three opulent cars and 10 properties." According to an order filed on Monday setting the conditions for release, Webb secured the bond with five Rolex watches plus a Cartier Roadster, Hublot, Breitling, Panerai, Royal Oak Offshore and Luminor Marina. His bond is "also secured" by a 2015 Ferrari and 2014 Range Rover, a 2003 Mercedes-Benz and a $401,000 account in his wife's name (London GUARDIAN, 7/21).
