EPL side Sunderland's ADAM JOHNSON "has pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one charge of grooming." Appearing at Bradford Crown Court, the Sunderland winger "also denied two charges of sexual activity with a girl aged under 16" (BBC, 2/10). ... Bundesliga side Hoffenheim coach HUUB STEVENS has left the club, "citing heart problems with the team struggling in the Bundesliga." He said he quit "after being diagnosed with heart arrhythmia that may require surgery" (REUTERS, 2/10). ... British gymnast BETH TWEDDLE has walked “a few steps” with assistance from medics following neck surgery – but a timescale for her recovery “is uncertain.” The 30-year-old, who won Bronze at the 2012 London Games, fell on the slopes during rehearsals for Channel 4 celebrity show The Jump and “needed neck surgery which involved having a piece of bone taken from her hip" (London GUARDIAN, 2/10). ... Former Scottish football player RICHARD GOUGH is "running to become a director of fan ownership group Rangers First." The 53-year-old was named as a club global ambassador in September last year and "he has now put his name forward to join the RF board" (HERALD SCOTLAND, 2/10). ... Ireland rugby player PAUL O'CONNELL has "announced his retirement from rugby." O'Connell last appeared for Ireland during last year's Rugby World Cup win against France, "when he was forced off with a hamstring injury." O'Connell announced his retirement in a statement, saying, "It is with deep regret that I have decided to retire from professional rugby following medical advice" (IRISH TIMES, 2/9). ... Australia int'l DAVID POCOCK is "expected to decide within the next 10 days whether to take a sabbatical" from Australian rugby in '17 to study. Pocock is locked in an Australian Rugby Union contract until the end of this season, but is said "to be weighing up a year-long move overseas to pursue interests outside of the game" (AAP, 2/9).
NOTABLE DEATH: League Championship side Bolton Wanderers announced that longstanding club Chair PHIL GARTSIDE died at the age of 63 after a battle with cancer. He joined the club's board in '88 and served as chair from '99 until stepping away from his duties in November because of an illness. Bolton said in its statement that Gartside's funeral "will be a private service, in line with his family's wishes" (London GUARDIAN, 2/10).
