Former Netherlands Manager DICK ADVOCAAT is reportedly "returning to the national team as assistant to head coach DANNY BLIND." The Dutch FA "refused to rubber stamp his appointment." The FA said, "We cannot confirm any news on the topic at present." Advocaat "will take over from RUUD VAN NISTELROOY" (REUTERS, 5/12). ... Spain and Real Madrid player RAUL GONZALEZ "praised the growth and development" of football in the U.S., but thinks the country "needs to produce some true idols to make the final leap as a football nation." Gonzalez said, "I believe that soccer in the United States lacks an idol and they should do everything possible to create one. In basketball they had [Michael] Jordan and now [Stephen] Curry, LeBron [James]" (ESPN, 5/11). ... Sri Lanka cricketer KUSAL PERERA "has had all anti-doping charges brought against him dropped" by the Int'l Cricket Council after the Qatar-based laboratory that conducted the test withdrew its initial finding.
Perera "was sent home from Sri Lanka's tour of New Zealand in December after it was announced he had failed a test during the series" against Pakistan in the UAE last July (REUTERS, 5/12). ... England rugby player JOE MARLER admitted that "he is seeking help" from a sports psychologist to "get a grip" after being banned twice recently for unsavory incidents on the field. Marler, 25, "was slapped with a two-week ban for kicking a Grenoble player while playing for his club Harlequins." The incident "occurred during Marler's comeback appearance after World Rugby imposed a two-game ban" and fined him £20,000 ($28,900) for calling Welsh forward SAMSON LEE "gypsy boy" in a Six Nations int'l in March. Marler: "That second ban it was like, 'Hang on a minute, I need to get a grip of it now'" (GULF TIMES, 5/11).
