Italy national team captain GIANLUGI BUFFON “silenced the whistling” that accompanied the beginning of the French national anthem before the Italy-France friendly last Thursday. The first few seconds of La Marseillaise were “booed by the fans at the San Nicola stadium in Bari.” But Buffon “started to clap, and was swiftly followed by his teammates and then the supporters in the stands.” FIFA president GIANNI INFANTINO congratulated Buffon's "example-setting" actions (LE MONDE, 9/2). ... Canada PM JUSTIN TRUDEAU's week-long mission to foster Canadian-Chinese relations "adopted a lighter tone Friday." It included "high fives at a kids' basketball game, smoked meat and his onstage performance of a yoga and tai chi-like dance in front of a crowd." Outside a Shanghai high school, Trudeau "barked instructions from courtside as guest coach of a team." His squad, called the Raptors, faced an opponent coached by former NBA player YAO MING (THE STAR, 9/2). ... Argentine first division side Newell's Old Boys Secretary CLAUDIO MARTÍNEZ's house "was shot at by two people who opened fire from a moving car." His home "was hit by 30 bullets that struck the front of the residence." Martínez, who was not injured, "said that he plans to leave the country" (MARCA, 9/4). ... Mercedes F1 driver NICO ROSBERG has "sought advice from Mercedes team doctors ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix" amid concerns over a "very high" risk of catching the zika virus. Five of the remaining races this season have reported cases of zika, "leaving Rosberg anxious to be as prepared as possible with a young family back at home in Monaco." There is "no suggestion that Rosberg will miss the race in Singapore, a crucial one in the championship, but he has still sought medical advice" (London TELEGRAPH, 9/5). ... Former Italy and AC Milan midfielder GENNARO GATTUSO rejoined Serie B side Pisa as coach "one month after resigning in protest at poor working conditions." Pisa confirmed on Friday that "the famously hot-tempered 38-year-old had agreed to return and would take charge of his first training session in the afternoon." Almost always dressed in black, Gattuso's "touchline ranting became a feature of Lega Pro last season, including one incident where he slapped a member of his own coaching staff" (REUTERS, 9/2). ... AC Milan Managing Dir UMBERTO GANDINI will reportedly be confirmed as Serie A side AS Roma’s "new CEO next week." An official announcement on Gandini’s defection to Roma from Milan "will be made in due course." Gandini "spent over 20 years with the Rossoneri but looks to be the next, long-serving member of the club’s backroom structure to move on" in the wake of its Chinese takeover (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 9/5). ... CLAUDIO RANIERI approached EDUARDO MACIA to replace former head of recruitment STEVE WALSH, "in a key appointment for the Premier League champions." Macia "is in talks over a senior role to work alongside Ranieri" and Dir of Football JON RUDKIN and is understood to be considering a contract offer. Macia "previously worked at Liverpool" and was credited with helping sign the likes of FERNANDO TORRES, RAHEEM STERLING and JAVIER MASCHERANO (TELEGRAPH, 9/5). ... JAMIE JOSEPH "officially took over as head coach of Japan on Monday, holding his first press conference in Tokyo" and reminding everyone that "I am not EDDIE JONES." He said, "I will be coaching a different game plan to Eddie Jones. I'm a different coach to Eddie Jones and I think you know that." In addition to coaching the Brave Blossoms, Joseph -- who played 20 times for the All Blacks and won nine caps for Japan -- "will also oversee all aspects of the game in Japan" (KYODO, 9/5).
