Sky Sport Italia "has suspended its relationship" with former West Ham and Lazio striker PAOLO DI CANIO after he presented a show revealing his "dux" tattoo. He has been working as a pundit on the TV station in Italy and "appeared in a short-sleeved shirt showing his tattoo" which represents former Fascist leader BENITO MUSSOLINI. After a raft of complaints from viewers, "threatening to withdraw subscriptions, the channel decided to take action." Sky Italia Exec VP of Sports Channels & Advertising Sales JACQUES RAYNAUD said, "We made a mistake. We apologize to all those we have offended the sensibilities" (London GUARDIAN, 9/14). ... Former England batsman GRAEME HICK "has been appointed as Australia's batting coach." The 50-year-old joins a remodeled Australian coaching set-up after DAVID SAKER, the former England bowling coach, was appointed as head coach DARREN LEHMANN's assistant and bowling coach in July. Hick, who played 56 Tests for England, "has been a long-time servant of Australian cricket," acting as high performance coach in '13 while also working with the country's under-age set-up (London TELEGRAPH, 9/15). ... The matter of NEYMAR's arrival in Barcelona from Brasileiro club Santos in '13 "has been reopened" after La Liga confirmed it will be launching "another hearing." La Liga has "officially launched an investigation into the deal Barcelona agreed with the Spanish Public Prosecutor's Office in relation to Neymar's transfer." The league said in a statement, "Following widespread media reports, LaLiga confirms an informative hearing will be launched with FC Barcelona in relation to the agreement reached between the club's board and the Spanish Public Prosecutor's Office in the Neymar legal case" (GOAL, 9/15).
