MOHAMMED SHAHID, part of the Gold Medal-winning side of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, passed away aged 56 on Wednesday. The Olympian "was in poor health for quite some time and his condition got worse" as he slipped into a coma late Tuesday. He "was suffering from liver and kidney ailments" (INDIAN EXPRESS, 7/20). ... JARRYD HAYNE has met the Australian Rugby Union about the prospect of switch to Super Rugby side NSW Waratahs "in a development that could scupper the chances of a return to Parramatta." Hayne got his "first taste of rugby, albeit the abridged version of the game, when he trialled for a spot" on Fiji's Olympic sevens team. After failing to make the cut for the Rio Games, "it was widely expected" he would return to Parramatta. However, Hayne met ARU CEO BILL PULVER in Sydney on Wednesday "to discuss the prospect of joining fellow code-hopper ISRAEL FOLAU at the Waratahs" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 7/20). ... The Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday "backtracked on its announcement of Frenchman PAUL LE GUEN as the national team’s new manager, saying he had rejected a contract during final discussions." The former Cameroon manager was "announced as the new technical adviser on Monday evening," with caretaker Manager SALISU YUSUF as his assistant. But NFF Media & Publicity Committee Chair SULEIMAN YAHAYA-KWANDE said in a statement titled “We never said Le Guen had Super Eagles’ job" that Le Guen’s name was "only a recommendation" (AFP, 7/19). ... Barcelona's NEYMAR has appeared in the new trailer for “XXX: Return of Xander Cage” alongside actor VIN DIESEL. Neymar appears to be "playing himself in the film alongside the American muscleman, but it looks to be no more than a cameo role" (THE SUN, 7/20).
CHAMPIONSHIP REWARD: Portugal's football federation announced that Portugal Manager FERNANDO SANTOS will "remain in charge of the Euro 2016 winners until after the next European Championship." Santos, 61, "led Portugal to its first European title with an extra-time triumph over hosts France in Paris earlier this month." The victory has "earned him a contract extension from his employers" (REUTERS, 7/20).
