Former McLaren test and reserve driver GARY PAFFETT "has joined Formula One rivals Williams to help them develop their new car in the simulator." McLaren Deputy Principal CLAIRE WILLIAMS said, "His level of testing knowledge, and ability to analyze data, will significantly help to drive forward development of the FW38 throughout the season." Paffett, who has never raced in F1, "won the German Touring Car (DTM) championship with Mercedes in 2005" (REUTERS, 2/2). ... Barcelona's LIONEL MESSI will not "be included in Argentina's squad for the 2016 Olympic Games but will be named in the Copa America party." Argentina Manager GERARDO MARTINO, formerly of Barca, "confirmed in an interview with Radio La Red that Messi will be part of the Centenary Copa America," to be held in the U.S. this summer, but will miss the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (FOOTBALL-ESPANA, 2/2). ... Nigeria has "banned eight athletes for doping," four of them Gold Medal winners and one a Silver Medalist at the All African Games last year. Long jumpers CHINAZOM AMADI and SAMSON IDIATA, weightlifter ELISABETH ONUA and wrestler PATIENCE OPUENE "were all barred following failed drug tests at the games in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo," in September, where they won Gold. Wrestling Silver Medalist EBI JAMES IGBADIWEI "was also suspended" (AP, 2/1).
CANCER COMMENTS: Ex-FIFA official THEO ZWANZIGER, who described Qatar last year as "a cancer" on world football, was told on Tuesday that his comments were covered by freedom of speech. The 70-year-old trained lawyer appeared in Dusseldorf’s regional court after the Qatar FA "filed a civil lawsuit for damages over his comments concerning the Arab state’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup." The judge said, "We consider the statement, 'Qatar is a cancerous growth on football,' to be justifiable, in terms of freedom of expression." A final ruling will be announced on April 19 and, according to sources of SID, the Qataris’ lawyer will appeal if "there is a decision in Zwanziger’s favour" (AFP, 2/2).
