National Handball League Division 1 side Montpellier Manager PATRICE CANAYER has “extended his contract with the historic club for another four years.” Canayer, 55, “has been with MHB since ’94.” He has won the French championship 13 times with the club and the 2003 Champions League title (L’ÉQUIPE, 9/7). ... Two-time Wimbledon champion PETRA KVITOVA "is without a coach for the second time this year" after firing former doubles specialist FRANTISEK CERMAK. The pair "had only begun their partnership in April, but the 26-year-old Czech has already made the decision to terminate their relationship." Kvitova announced her decision after she returned from the US Open, where she was eliminated by second seed ANGELIQUE KERBER 6-3, 7-5 in the fourth round (AP, 9/7).
FA BACKS DUTCHMAN: The FA has given its backing to Dutch FA President MICHAEL VAN PRAAG in next week's UEFA presidential election, FA Vice-Chair DAVID GILL said. With Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President ÁNGEL MARÍA VILLAR's withdrawal, Slovenian FA President ALEKSANDAR CEFERIN and Van Praag "are the two candidates left in next Wednesday's vote in Athens." Gill, who has worked with Van Praag on the UEFA exec committee, said that the Dutchman "could play a pivotal role in promoting women's football and fighting discrimination" (REUTERS, 9/7).
