Iranian tennis player MAJID ABEDINI has been "provisionally suspended after chasing a tournament official off the court at a low-tier event in Turkey." The Int'l Tennis Federation said that Abedini faces an investigation for a possible "major offence of aggravated behaviour." The incident "took place last Sunday at an ITF Pro Circuit event at Antalya in Turkey." The 29-year-old Abedini was playing a qualifying match "when he reacted angrily and chased an official, who ran off the court and shut the gate behind him." The player "kicked the gate and beat it with his racket as he screamed at the official" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 4/21). ... Spanish former basketball player JORGE GARBAJOSA on Wednesday announced his intention to run for the Spanish Basketball Federation's (FEB) presidential election on July 9. Garbajosa reportedly called the heads of several territorial federations to say he will run for the presidency of the organization. He will have until June 20 to formally present his candidacy (EL MUNDO, 4/21). ... Arsenal and Tottenham players have "appeared in a bizarre video online" that sees JACK WILSHERE, MESUTÖZIL, HARRY KANE and DELE ALLI repeat the phrase "Time to go, Massimo" in an "apparent show of faith" with the Leeds United supporters group that wants club Owner MASSIMO CELLINO to leave Elland Road (London INDEPENDENT, 4/21). ... Iranian football player MEHRDAD OLADI died after suffering a heart attack at the age of 31. Oladi, who most recently played for Malavan in the Iran Pro League, “was pronounced dead after he was taken to Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital in northern Tehran for heart failure on Tuesday” (IRAN DAILY, 4/19). ... Nigeria's football governing body appointed SHAIBU AMODU and SALISU YUSUF to take charge of the Super Eagles on an interim basis. The appointment would see the coaches lead the Eagles in two int’l friendly matches against Mali and Luxembourg. Yusuf will take charge of the team, while Amodu, the technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation, will supervise (XINHUA, 4/21).
BACK TO WORK: CONOR MCGREGOR said that “he has not retired” from the UFC – “but has fallen out with the sport's bosses over promotional work.” After he tweeted he was retiring on Tuesday, UFC President DANA WHITE revealed McGregor “would not be fighting” NATE DIAZ on the UFC 200 card on July 9. McGregor said that he was “being asked to do too much promotional work by the UFC and was not able to concentrate on his training.” He said, “I am paid to fight. I am not yet paid to promote. … There comes a time when you need to stop handing out flyers and get back to the damn shop” (BBC, 4/21).
CALLING IT QUITS: Former Scotland rugby player MIKE BLAIR has retired from playing with immediate effect “but will remain with Glasgow Warriors to take up a coaching role next season.” Blair, 35, joined Glasgow this season and made 12 appearances for the club. He was voted Player of the Month in October. The 85-capped former Scotland int’l “has had an illustrious career, representing Edinburgh Rugby, Brive, Newcastle Falcons and the Warriors” (RTE, 4/21).
RAPE CASE RETRIAL: Former Sheffield United footballer CHED EVANS "has won an appeal against his conviction for rape and faces a retrial." Evans, 27, who spent two-and-a-half years in jail after he was convicted in '12 of "raping a 19-year-old in a hotel in north Wales," said he was "extremely grateful" for the ruling. On Thursday the court of appeal "quashed the conviction after fresh evidence emerged." Details "cannot be reported for legal reasons." Appearing alone, Justice HEATHER HALLETT told the court, "We have concluded that we must allow the appeal and that it is in the interests of justice to order a retrial" (London GUARDIAN, 4/21). The striker "has always maintained his innocence." Evans and former Port Vale player CLAYTON MCDONALD admitted having sex with the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, "but said it was consensual." McDonald was "acquitted of rape" following their trial at Caernarfon Crown Court in '12. Justice Hallett said that "relevant and admissible evidence has come to light that was not available at trial, and that undermines the safety of his conviction" (INDEPENDENT, 4/21).
