Former New South Wales Premier BARRY O'FARRELL's appointment as Racing Australia's new CEO has "left the industry surprised as many struggle to comprehend" the "interesting and possibly confusing" decision by the sport's national body. It is O'Farrell's first full-time role "since he famously quit politics over a gifted bottle of Penfolds Grange wine." O'Farrell was endorsed by departing Racing Australia Chair JOHN MESSARA, "who will stay on as an independent director despite leaving his Racing NSW post at the end of the year" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 12/8). ... Australian, Queensland and National Rugby League side Melbourne Storm captain CAMERON SMITH will "join the Rugby League Players' Association as a board member, adding further authority and status to a body growing in membership and credibility." It is the "first time a serving Australian captain has joined the rugby league players' peak body." It is a "significant coup" for RLPA CEO IAN PRENDERGAST, who joined the association this year from the Australian Football League Players' Association where he held a senior position (SMH, 12/7). ... Olympique de Marseille and FRANCK PASSI have mutually decided to end their collaboration. Passi was replaced as manager by RUDI GARCIA in October, but stayed on with the club as an advisor (OM).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Spanish second division side Mirandés named CLAUDIO BARRAGÁN its coach until the end of the season. He replaces CARLOS TERRAZAS, who was sacked last week (MARCA, 12/7). ... Spanish second division side Mallorca terminated the contract of Manager FERNANDO VÁZQUEZ. JAVIER OLAIZOLA, who currently coaches Mallorca's youth team, will take over the first team (MARCA, 12/6). ... ROBIN MCBRYDE will coach the Wales national rugby team on its summer tour of the Pacific Islands. Head coach WARREN GATLAND is leading the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand and has named interim coach ROB HOWLEY as part of his backroom team. Forwards coach McBryde assumes head coach responsibilities for the third time after leading Wales on tours in '09 and '13 (BBC, 12/7). ... The Belarus Football Federation announced that Manager ALEXANDER KHATSKEVICH has "quit after refusing to take a pay cut following poor results in World Cup qualifying." The BFF said, "Due to the lack of results during the autumn qualification matches for the 2018 World Cup, the coach was asked to agree to a cut in his wages. ... The head coach of the national team refused to take on the new conditions" (REUTERS, 12/6).
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