National Rugby League side Parramatta Eels player COREY NORMAN has been "caught up in a fresh controversy, allegedly caught in a sex tape in a room where others were taking illegal drugs." Seven News reported Norman, as well as former Penrith player JAMES SEGEYARO, are "involved in videos attempted to be sold to the media" for A$150,000 ($113,050). It "comes at a bad time for Norman, who is due to face court on Wednesday on drug possession charges," given he has all but finalized a new deal with Parramatta beyond the end of '16 (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 7/11). ... Spanish cyclist JOAQUIM RODRIGUEZ announced that "he will retire from professional cycling at the end of the present season." Rodriguez made "the emotional statement to journalists" on the first rest day of the 2016 Tour de France in Andorra, where he lives. The 37-year-old is in his 16th season as a professional cyclist (CYCLING WEEKLY, 7/11). ... FIFA President GIANNI INFANTINO will meet senior FA leaders "from across Africa on a two-day working visit to Nigeria in July." The Nigeria Football Federation said on Monday that Infantino will arrive in Abjua on July 24 and will meet "a legion of African FA presidents." Infantino will be accompanied by new FIFA Secretary General FATMA SAMOURA (BBC, 7/11). ... New Scottish Championship side Hibernian head coach NEIL LENNON "is using his battle with depression to help support young footballers struggling with mental health issues." He is "spearheading a campaign to change the culture of fear and silence around mental health." He has joined forces with See Me, the national program to "end mental health stigma," to back its Power of Okay campaign (SCOTSMAN, 7/11).
HAYNE FALLS SHORT: Former NFL San Francisco 49ers player JARRYD HAYNE, who left the team in May in an effort "to represent Fiji in rugby in the Olympics, has fallen short of his goal." Hayne "was not selected to Fiji’s rugby sevens Olympic team, which will compete next month in Rio." Hayne wrote on Facebook, "As much as I would have loved to go to Rio, I too knew I wasn’t ready yet. During my time with the team, I pushed my body above and beyond. I used all my experience as a professional athlete and have tried everyday and in every way possible to make this team and make it better but unfortunately, time has been against me." He is "expected to go back to Australia and get back to professional rugby" (PRO FOOTBALL TALK, 7/11).
