League Two side Northampton Town paid tribute to Supporters Direct Founder BRIAN LOMAX who "died at the age of 67." Supporters Direct "warned on its Facebook page in October that Lomax was seriously ill." Lomax "created the first supporters trust in 1992 to help save Northampton from a financial crisis and in 1999 went one step further when Supporters Direct was founded to enable fans to take stakes in their clubs and he became its managing director" (London GUARDIAN, 11/2). ... Following the FA's Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Monday, Chelsea Manager JOSE MOURINHO has been given a one-match stadium suspension with immediate effect and fined £40,000 ($61,650). He admitted to an FA charge of misconduct regarding his language and behavior toward the match officials in or around the dressing room area during halftime of the game against West Ham on Oct. 24 (FA).
GUT FEELING: A day after helping New Zealand win a record third Rugby World Cup, coach STEVE HANSEN said that "he probably will not be in charge of the title defense in 2019." He said on Sunday that he deliberately turned down a contract extension from the New Zealand Rugby Union to lead the All Blacks to the Rugby World Cup in Japan because "I didn't think it was right." He limited the extension to '17, "when the British and Irish Lions tour." At the end of that year he will see if it is a "good idea to carry on." He said, "My gut feeling tells me it won't be" (AP, 11/1).
MEA CULPA: Greater Manchester Police "have come under criticism for sending an ill-advertised tweet" jokingly declaring ManU's WAYNE ROONEY as a missing person after the striker "endured yet another anonymous performance" in his club's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace. The tweet has since been deleted. The official police account said that Rooney, who has scored only two Premier League goals this season, was "last seen in the Trafford area wearing a red shirt," before asking fans to "inform colleagues" of any sightings (London INDEPENDENT, 11/2).
RWC NEWS: Flight attendants for Australian airline Qantas "have been forced to don New Zealand rugby shirts following" the All Blacks' victory in the World Cup final at Twickenham. The two airlines "initially suggested decorating each others' planes" in the colors of their opponents depending on who won the match, "but it was seemingly deemed a little impractical" (London DAILY MIRROR, 11/2). ... Australia coach MICHAEL CHEIKA has been named World Rugby Coach of the Year after "rapidly transforming the Wallabies from also-rans to World Cup contenders." Cheika took over the Wallabies a year and nine days out from the World Cup final at Twickenham on Sunday, where they lost 34-17 to the All Blacks, who were led by five-eighth DAN CARTER, named Player of the Year. The other award winners were team of the year New Zealand, women's player of the year KENDRA COCKSEDGE of New Zealand, breakthrough player of the year NEHE MILNER-SKUDDER of New Zealand, sevens player of the year WERNER KOK of South Africa, women's sevens player of the year PORTIA WOODMAN of New Zealand and world referee award winner NIGEL OWENS (THE AUSTRALIAN, 11/3).
