French former rugby int’l MARC PALANQUES was elected president of the French Rugby League Federation (FFR à XIII), “following federation’s general assembly in Toulouse.” Palanques, 55, "succeeds CARLOS ZALDUENDO"(L’ÉQUIPE, 7/2). ... Former Villarreal Sporting Dir ANTONIO CORDON has joined Ligue 1 side Monaco, “where he will occupy the same post.” The offseason for Monaco has “already been marked” by the departure of Technical Dir CLAUDE MAKELELE and VP Advisor LUIS CAMPOS (L’ÉQUIPE, 7/1). ... German public broadcaster ZDF has appointed THOMAS FUHRMANN as its new sports director. The 50-year-old will start his new position on Feb. 1. He will replace DIETER GRUSCHWITZ, who will retire after 20 years with the network (ZDF). ... League Championship side Brentford Chair CLIFF CROWN has been appointed to serve on the board of the English Football League. Crown will join PAUL BARBER of Brighton & Hove Albion and JEZ MOXEY of Wolverhampton Wanderers as one of three Championship representatives and replaces KEITH LAMB following Middlesbrough's promotion to the Premier League. In addition to his role as Brentford's non-exec chair, Crown acts as the club's CFO and is a business adviser to a number of companies in which Brentford Owner MATTHEW BENHAM has a financial interest (EFL). ... VINCENTE DEL BOSQUE is staying with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) "in an unspecified role after stepping down as Spain coach." The 65-year-old "spoke of his intention to quit after Spain's defeat by Italy in the Euro 2016 second round last week" and the RFEF, which persuaded him to stay after he offered to quit in '14, said that "it had accepted the decision this time." The RFEF said in a statement, "[RFEF President] ANGEL MARIA VILLAR considers Vicente del Bosque to be 'Spanish heritage' and has offered him the chance to continue in the Federation, to which Del Bosque has agreed. His new position will be unveiled in coming weeks" (REUTERS, 7/4).
