South Africa have suspended football coach EPHRAIM MASHABA for its friendly against Mozambique on Tuesday "after opening disciplinary proceedings against him." A statement from the South African FA said that the decision "related to an incident during Saturday's 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Senegal, but offered no further details" (PA, 11/13). ... CHARLOTTE CASLICK's "stellar year," during which she won the World Series title and picked up an Olympic Gold Medal, was recognized by World Rugby, which named her women's sevens player of the year. The 21-year-old "becomes the second Australian to win the award," after EMILEE CHERRY in '14. Caslick "beat New Zealand’s PORTIA WOODMAN and EMILY SCARRATT of England and Great Britain to the gong after starring for Australia at the Rio Games" (London GUARDIAN, 11/14). ... Former Japan rugby int'l DAISUKE OHATA will "be inducted into World Rugby's Hall of Fame this week." Ohata, 41, who played for Kobe Kobelco Steelers, Japan and the Japan sevens team, "is the current world record holder for most test tries, touching down 69 times in 58 international appearances" (KYODO, 11/14). ... South African Paralympic Gold Medalist OSCAR PISTORIUS has been "moved to a prison better suited to his rehabilitation while serving a six year jail term for murdering his girlfriend, a prison service spokesman said." Pistorius has been "moved to the Atteridgeville correctional center, on the outskirts of the capital Pretoria, from the nearby Kgosi Mampuru remand center." The spokesperson said, "The issue is about access to rehabilitation programs" (REUTERS, 11/14).
BRAZILIAN FAREWELL: Tears "flowed in the Formula One pitlane" as Brazilian FELIPE MASSA hugged his family, thanked his past and present mechanics and waved to the crowd "after crashing out of his home grand prix on Sunday." The Williams driver, "who will bow out in Abu Dhabi at the end of the month after his 250th race, had hoped for one last hurrah at a circuit where he was twice a winner with Ferrari but it was not to be." With the Brazilian flag "draped around his shoulders the driver greeted his wife and young son." He said, "I wanted to finish with a good result for the fans, for Brazil, for my team, for me. Unfortunately I couldn't" (REUTERS, 11/14).
