Russian boxer IGOR MIKHALKIN "has been suspended for two years after testing positive for banned substance meldonium." He failed a drugs test on March 12, following his unanimous points victory over Frenchman PATRICK BOIS in Paris. Mikhalkin "has been stripped of the belt he successfully defended three times, according to the European Boxing Union" (BBC, 4/11). ... England cricketer JAMES TAYLOR said that his world has been turned “upside down” by the discovery of a serious heart condition that has forced him to immediately retire from cricket at the age of just 26. Taylor’s retirement was announced by his county, Nottinghamshire, on Tuesday morning "after it was revealed he is suffering from the heart condition ARVC (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Arrhythmia)." His England teammates, MOEEN ALI, JONNY BAIRSTOW and ADIL RASHID, "took to social media to pay tribute to a popular teammate as news spread of his sudden retirement" (London TELEGRAPH, 4/12). Catalan businessman and second Barcelona VP CARLES VILARRUBI "has appeared in the 'Panama Papers,' linked to the sale of the Montesquius Canvas in 1997" (MARCA, 4/12). ... Romanian athlete MIRELA LAVRIC tested positive for the banned substance meldonium, "joining a long list of athletes, including tennis champion MARIA SHARAPOVA, to do so." The Romanian athletic federation said that the 25-year-old failed a drug test at the world indoor championships in Portland, "where she won the bronze medal in the 4x400m relay" (REUTERS, 4/12). ... One Direction singer LOUIS TOMLINSON will "test his footballing skills at Old Trafford for Soccer Aid." He has been announced in the "England" line-up against the Rest Of The World team "in the charity football match on June 5" (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 4/12).
NOTABLE DEATHS: Colombian football commentator ÉDGAR PEREA died on Monday in Bogotá after "being hospitalized with respiratory and renal failure." In addition to his career as a broadcaster, Perea worked in politics, including as a Colombian ambassador in South Africa from '08-11 (EL COLOMBIANO, 4/11). ... Portuguese MMA fighter JOAO CARVALHO "died after being knocked out at an event in Dublin." He was knocked out by CHARLIE WARD -- a clubmate of UFC fighter CONOR MCGREGOR -- in the third round of an event called Total Fighting Extreme 1 at the National Stadium in Dublin on Saturday. Carvalho became "very ill" 20 minutes following the fight after being checked out by doctors a second time and was taken to hospital. A statement to Irish broadcaster RTE from Carvalho's Nobrega Team confirmed the fighter's death (STUFF, 4/12). ... Former footballer PEDRO DE FELIPE, who won the European Cup with Real Madrid in '66 and five La Liga titles in eight years, died at the age of 71. De Felipe came through the club’s youth ranks and went on to play 170 times for Los Blancos, "helping Madrid to League success" in '64-65, '66-67, '67-68, '68-69 and '71-72. De Felipe, who also held an administrative role with Almeria, died of cancer (FOOTBALL ESPANA, 4/12). ... An “aspiring British cricketer has died after reportedly being shot by robbers in Trinidad.” ADRIAN ST. JOHN, 22, who played for the CHRIS GAYLE Academy in London, “is understood to have died on Sunday.” West Indies cricketer Gayle tweeted, “Such sad news to hear. My condolences to his family & friends. Adrian St John was the captain of the academy. #Sigh.” Local media reports suggested St. John was "attacked after he had stopped his car to pick up someone" (BBC, 4/12).
JOHNSON LODGES APPEAL: Footballer ADAM JOHNSON "formally lodged an appeal against his six-year sentence for grooming and sexual activity with a girl aged 15." The former Sunderland and England player "was jailed last month following a trial at Bradford Crown Court." An official at the court confirmed that Johnson's legal team "had lodged an appeal against his sentence" (BBC, 4/12).
