IAAF President SEBASTIAN COE has been appointed chair of the Diamond League AG, which operates a series of track and field events. Coe replaces LAMINE DIACK, also his predecessor as IAAF president. Coe will be joined on the Diamond League board by Italy’s ANNA RICCARDI, a member of the IAAF council. The company is made up of representatives of the IAAF and the 14 meeting organizations whose competitions make up the calendar of the Diamond League (PA, 12/1). ... Lawyer IAN PRENDERGAST, who represented Australian Football League club Carlton on 65 occasions, was unveiled as the successor to Rugby League Players' Association CEO DAVID GARNSEY. He officially begins "his new role" next week. Prendergast's appointment "is viewed as a coup by a playing group frustrated by its treatment at Rugby League Central." Prendergast has "proven himself a skilled negotiator" while representing the 800 members of the Australian Football League Players' Association, "most notably during the game's bitter pay dispute" of '11 (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 12/1). ... A Board of Trustees has been appointed to oversee Rome's bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The committee will be responsible for ensuring Rome's bid meets the highest int’l standards of transparency, operating and contractual procedures. Some of the most senior figures in the Italian legal establishment include RAFFAELE SQUITIERI as the president of the Court of Auditors; former Luiss Guido Carli University Minister ENZO MOAVERO MILANESI; First President of the Supreme Court GIORGIO SANTACROCE; former President of the Court of Milan LIVIA POMODORO; and VP of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors GIOVANNI LEGNINI (Rome 2024).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Scottish Premiership club Inverness Caledonian Thistle Manager JOHN HUGHES signed a new contract with the club, keeping him at the Caledonian Stadium until the summer of ‘18. Hughes, who joined the club in Dec. ‘13, has been rewarded for a “successful spell in charge which has seen the club win the Scottish Cup in May and play in Europe for the first time” (STV, 12/1). ... French Top 14 rugby side Oyonnax named former player JOHANN AUTHIER as its manager Tuesday. Authier retired from playing in ’14 and was the club’s center formation coach. He takes over for OLIVIER AZAM, who was released Nov. 11 (L’ÉQUIPE, 12/1). ... French D1 handball club Chartres Métropole named JÉRÉMY ROUSSEL as its new manager. He replaces PASCAL MAHÉ, “who was released in October.” Roussel “previously coached Aurillac, Aix-en-Provence and Women’s League side Metz” until July ’14 (L’ÉQUIPE, 12/1). ... Spanish handball club Ángel Ximénez coach FERNANDO BARBEITO left the club on Tuesday to accept an offer to become the head coach of Bahrain's national handball team (EFE, 12/1). ... Spanish Basketball League (ACB) club Gipuzkoa Basket sacked coach JAUME PONSARNAU after the team's "horrible start" to the season. The club is currently 0-8 (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 12/1). ... Spanish second division side Mallorca announced on Monday that ALBERT FERRER will no longer coach the club. He will be replaced by JOSÉ GÁLVEZ (EFE, 12/1). ... The "longest-serving coach in Serie A" ANDREA MANDORLINI was fired by Verona on Monday, ending five years during which "he led the club from the thrid tier and back to the top flight." The 55-year-old, "who spent seven seasons at Inter in his playing days," was previously coach of Spezia, Vicenza, Atalanta, Bologna, Padova, Siena, Sassuolo and Romanian side CF Cluj" (REUTERS, 11/30). Verona coach LUIGI DEL NERI was confirmed as "Mandorlini's replacement" Tuesday (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 12/1).
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