Mexican Athletics Federation (FMAA) President ANTONIO LOZANO was arrested on Monday "on suspicion of embezzlement of public funds." He allegedly received nearly 4.8M Mexican pesos ($240,000) in federal resources "and it is suspected that the money was not used in the correct manner" (ESPN.com, 12/19). ... MICHAEL CONLAN has been fined by the Int'l Boxing Association (AIBA) for his "explosive reaction immediately after his controversial defeat to Russia's VLADIMIR NIKITIN at the Rio Olympics last August." But the AIBA, the Switzerland-based world governing body for amateur boxing, "reluctantly agree" that the fine of 10,000 Swiss francs ($9,750), the maximum it can impose, "may never be paid because the Belfast bantam has turned pro" and is no longer under its jurisdiction (Irish INDEPENDENT, 12/19). ... French int'l and Euro 2016 standout ANTOINE GRIEZMANN "was named French footballer of the year by France Football magazine." A week ago, the Atlético Madrid forward "finished third behind CRISTIANO RONALDO and LIONEL MESSI in the Ballon d'Or world footballer of the year award" also organized by France Football (AFP, 12/19). ... Indian cricketer GAUTAM GAMBHIR has "withdrawn his support" for the Indian Junior Premier League, after the Board of Control for Cricket in India reportedly "shot him a notice not to support tournaments" that are not recognized by the board. The IJPL, which has been started by Delhi-based businessman DINESH KAPOOR, is a league for cricketers between the ages 14-18 years old (DECCAN CHRONICLE, 12/18). ... Former Athletic Club center-forward FIDEL URIARTE passed away on Monday aged 71. Born in Sestao, Spain, Uriarte was one of Athletic's "most prolific strikers" during the '60s and the start of the '70s. He made his first team debut with Athletic in '62-63 in a game against Málaga (AS, 12/18).
