Bayern Munich player FRANCK RIBÉRY announced he will take legal action against the magazine Closer for “extremely dangerous damage to his image and reputation.” The publication named Ribéry in a “prostitution affair in which the player was only a witness.” Ribéry is claiming €400,000 ($434,000) in “compensation for moral damages” (LE PARISIEN, 12/7). ... French 2005 European Basketball Championship Bronze Medalist SACH GIFFA “is retiring after 20 years in professional basketball.” The 38-year-old currently plays for French Pro B side Denain Voltaire (L’ÉQUIPE, 12/6). ... The IOC named former Argentine field hockey player LUCIANA AYMAR an ambassador for the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018, which will take place from Oct. 1-12, 2018 (IOC). ... DAVID BECKHAM has "thrown his support behind the controversial World Cups in Russia and Qatar," saying "whether it's corrupt or not, those countries have been chosen." FIFA has "promised to clean up its act," but when asked if he thought the "beleaguered body had turned a corner," Beckham replied, "No, they are just hitting the bend. There's a lot still to be done. It's such a mess that it's going to take a while to sort out. For me to see the game, the way it's been treated and looked after, is devastating. It's disgusting" (London TELEGRAPH, 12/7).
FERGUSON WARNS ABRAMOVICH: Former ManU Manager ALEX FERGUSON told Chelsea Owner ROMAN ABRAMOVICH it would be "foolish" to pull the trigger and fire Manager JOSE MOURINHO, and an example of "poor leadership." Ferguson hailed Mourinho as "one of the best coaches of all time" and backed him to "solve the problems which have blighted Chelsea's campaign." Ferguson said of Abramovich, "He has sacked so many coaches in the last 10 years that I am sure he has learned by it. He has to trust and have confidence Jose can turn it around. There is no point in sacking one of the best coaches of all time" (London DAILY MAIL, 12/7).
SHOWING SUPPORT: League Two club Carlisle United offered its senior and youth squads to "help anyone who has fallen victim to flooding in Cumbria and the Scottish Borders in a gesture of support for the local community." More than 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes "with 60,000 left without power as Storm Desmond wreaked havoc across Britain over the weekend." Carlisle player ALEX MCQUEEN "even lost his Mercedes to the storm as his car was submerged under water." He said, "I have only seen the pictures but my car was at the ground. It is probably floating half-way down the M6 now!" (DAILY MAIL, 12/6).
