KEVIN DE BRUYNE's agent "is furious after the Wolfsburg midfielder was asked to make a statement about his future at an awards ceremony." The Belgium int'l was asked to repeat after the host of the event that "I, Kevin de Bruyne, will definitely play this season at Wolfsburg." PATRICK DE KOSTER later "angrily told BBC Sport no decision has been made on his 24-year-old client's future" (BBC, 8/18). ... A positive test for cocaine has landed apprentice jockey TOM SADLER a four-month suspension. Sadler tested positive to the banned substance at the Swan Hill meeting on July 27, "and again after Caulfield trackwork the following morning" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 8/18). ... Unemployed EPL side Everton fans "could get the chance to watch their heroes for nothing at Goodison Park" after STEVEN NAISMITH confirmed that he will "continue to give away free tickets this season." The Scotland int'l, who donated tickets to Toffees supporters throughout the previous campaign, "will do the same this time around." He has teamed up with Jobcentre Plus centers throughout Liverpool "to offer those searching for work an opportunity" to see ROMELU LUKAKU and Co. in action (London DAILY MAIL, 8/18). ... Former German Football Federation (DFB) President GERHARD MAYER-VORFELDER died at the age of 82. Mayer-Vorfelder worked as a politician for the Christian Democratic Union in Baden-Wurttemberg, serving as the finance minister until '98. By then he had "already carved out a career in football administration," and led Stuttgart to two Bundesliga titles in '84 and '92 as president. He died in a Stuttgart hospital and is survived by his wife, MARGIT, and his four children (GOAL, 8/18).
