A new motorcycle track in Tarancón, Spain, will be named DR7 in honor of DANI RIVAS, who was killed during a race in California last July (MARCA, 3/10). ... Former Argentine footballer ROBERTO PERFUMO was hospitalized on Thursday "after suffering a head injury following a fall down the steps of a restaurant." The 73-year-old, currently a football analyst for ESPN Latin America, fell during the early morning hours in Buenos Aires "and was taken via ambulance to a hospital." ALBERTO CRESCENTI, director of the emergency medical system for the area, said that Perfumo's condition was "very serious" (AP, 3/10). ... Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President ÁNGEL MARÍA VILLAR "has received mixed news on the legal front." On the one hand, his complaint against Spanish Superior Sports Council (CSD) President MIGUEL CARDENAL "has been declared admissible." On the other, "his ploy to stall elections at the RFEF has proven unsuccessful" (MARCA, 3/10). ... EDWIN VAN DER SAR "is set to make a shock return to professional football" --five years after he retired.
The Dutch goalkeeper "will come out of retirement at the age of 45 in order to help out a struggling former club of his," VV Noordwijk. The ex-Holland int'l "hung up his gloves" at the end of the '10-11 season after becoming the oldest post-war player to represent ManU at 40 years-of-age (London TELEGRAPH, 3/10). ... FRANCESCO GUIDOLIN will miss his third straight EPL side Swansea City match when it takes on AFC Bournemouth "at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday."
The former Udinese boss, 60, missed the recent victories over Arsenal and Norwich City "as he spent time in hospital recovering from a chest infection" (OMNISPORT, 3/10).
NADAL ACCUSED OF DOPING: Former French Minister for Health & Sports ROSELYNE BACHELOT accused RAFAEL NADAL of doping during current affairs program Le Grand 8. Bachelot said, "We know that the famous injury which kept Nadal out for seven months is without any doubt because he tested positive. When you see a tennis player out of action for a long time, it's usually because they've tested positive" (AS, 3/10). Nadal will respond in court to Bachelot after the accusation. He said in response to the claim, "I am beginning to rest a little. I believe in the values of sport, sport is an example for our society, for children, and if I did something against this, I would be lying to myself, not my rivals" (SPORT, 3/10).
PELE AUCTION: Auctioneers said that PELE "is putting some 2,000 items up for auction, including his three World Cup medals and a one of a kind Jules Rimet trophy" that could fetch up to $1M.
Julien's Auctions said that he "is also selling off his 1,000th goal ball and crown, and jerseys he wore while playing for Brazilian club Santos FC and the New York Cosmos in what marks his first ever public offering of career memorabilia."
MARTIN NOLAN, exec director of Beverly Hills-based Julien's Auctions said,
"Pele is like the MARILYN MONROE of the sports world." Pele said that having donated much of his collection to the city of Santos, he had "decided to allow fans and collectors to own a piece of my history as well." He said that "a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Pequeno Principe children's hospital in the Brazilian city of Curitiba."
Julien's has placed an estimated price of $400,000 -- $600,000 on the trophy but said that "it could sell for much more."
Nolan: "We think that is a very conservative estimate" (REUTERS, 3/10).
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Shane Heal
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HEAL INVESTIGATION: The AAP reported police "are reportedly investigating claims" former basketball player SHANE HEAL "is linked to bets placed on the Southeast Queensland Stars women's basketball team while he was their coach."
Queensland Police said that they were probing allegations "relating to inappropriate betting" and were liaising with other agencies.
However, they would not provide any other details, including "who they were investigating or the circumstances surrounding the claims."
In a statement, Heal said, "I have never bet against my team" (AAP, 3/11).
