Australian tennis player NICK KYRGIOS has been fined for a "foul-mouthed outburst" at the Shanghai Masters, "pushing the Australian closer to a potential four-week ban." According to reports, Kyrgios was heard calling the tournament a "circus" and complaining "about the ball kids." He faces a one-month ban "if he receives another fine for verbal or physical misconduct" (BBC, 10/13). ... Lithuania national football team coach IGORIS PANKRATJEVAS "has resigned" after his team was defeated 3-0 at home by England in its final Group E European Championship qualifier. Pankratjevas took his seat for his post-match news conference and waited for the first question "before announcing his resignation and walking out in less than 30 seconds" (REUTERS, 10/13). ... CRISTIANO RONALDO received a "record fourth Golden Boot" after leading all scorers in Europe's domestic leagues last season. The Real Madrid forward scored 48 goals in 35 La Liga games "to claim his third Golden Boot with the Bernabéu club." His other award came with ManU in '07-08. No other player "has won four" (AP, 10/13). ... Ireland has suffered a "major blow" ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina "after their captain PAUL O'CONNELL was ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury." O'Connell underwent scans on the strain Monday and "it has now been confirmed that he must undergo surgery" (GUARDIAN, 10/13). ... Four people, including former France int'l DJIBRIL CISSE, have been taken into custody in France as "part of an investigation into an alleged blackmail attempt." AFP, citing an unnamed police source, said that the case "concerns a suspected attempt to blackmail France int'l MATHIEU VALBUENA over an alleged sex tape" (ESPN, 10/13).
THANKS TO PARLIAMENT: Former Argentina int'l DIEGO MARADONA thanked QUEEN ELIZABETH and the Houses of Parliament for giving him the chance to provide "true justice" as head of an organization designed to help young children. The Argentine "praised the Queen in a video" and confirmed he would be "taking on a new role as Latin American director for the non-governmental organization Football for Unity." Maradona: "I would like to say hello to the Queen and the British Parliament, and tell them I wholeheartedly accept the nomination they have given me for the Latin American foundation" (London EVENING STANDARD, 10/13).
