CHARITY MATCH: Barcelona forward NEYMAR has "accepted an invitation to play in a charity match for families affected by the Chapecoense plane crash." Former Argentina int'l midfielder JUAN SEBASTIAN VERON and Spain World Cup winner JOAN CAPDEVILA "will also feature in Wednesday's fixture at the Maracana stadium." In addition to remembering victims of the Nov. 28 plane crash, the match will pay homage to Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning captain CARLOS ALBERTO TORRES, who died in October. More than 20,000 tickets "have already been sold for the game, which is being organized by former Brazil great ZICO" (XINHUA, 12/27).
SAILING AWAY: Frenchman THOMAS COVILLE has "smashed the record for sailing around the world single-handed without stopping by eight days." The 48-year-old finished in 49 days, 3 hours, 7 minutes and 38 seconds. The previous record of 57 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 6 seconds was set by fellow Frenchman FRANCIS JOYON, "who took it from Britain's ELLEN MACARTHUR" in '08. Coville set off from Brest in France on Nov. 6 and "will rarely have slept for more than three hours at a time" (BBC, 12/26). ... Double Olympic champion MIRUTS YIFTER of Ethiopia has died at the age of 72, the IAAF announced on its website. Yifter, who had been "suffering from respiratory problems, died here where he had lived" since '98. He earned his nickname of "Yifter the Shifter" when he claimed the 10,000m Gold in Russia with a burst of speed over the final 300m (IAAF). ... Former Indian Amateur Boxing Federation President ABHAY SINGH CHAUTALA was made honorary life president of the Indian Olympic Association, along with ex-IOA president and 2010 Commonwealth Games corruption-scandal-tainted SURESH KALMADI (INDIAN EXPRESS, 12/27).
HEALTH ISSUE: Australia's Channel Nine TV cricket commentator MARK NICHOLAS is "recovering in a hospital after falling ill during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground." After appearing on air early in Nine's cricket coverage, Nicholas was "overcome by a stomach complaint in the early afternoon." Paramedics "helped him from the broadcaster's facilities," reportedly sweating profusely and in pain on a stretcher. He was taken to the nearby Epworth hospital. He is understood to be in "stable condition" (STUFF, 12/27). ... LIZZIE KELLY created another first when she partnered Tea For Two in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Monday. Kelly, 23, "enjoyed the greatest success of her career on the same horse a year ago," when she became the first woman to ride a grade one winner over jumps in Britain in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase (LONDON TIMES, 12/24). ... Japan and AC Milan midfielder KEISUKE HONDA "formally launched his Soltilo Soccer Academy in Phnom Penh, making Cambodia its ninth country." The academy "will have up to 100 students, initially in the 6 to 10 age bracket, with the chance to continue further depending on skill level." The Honda school, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, "mirrors the Japanese star's philosophy of helping youngsters better their lives through football" (PHNOM PENH POST, 12/27).
NOT GOING TO PAY: MICHAEL CONLAN has sent a "defiant message" to amateur boxing’s world governing body after he was fined almost £8,000 ($9,820) for his Olympic Games outburst, saying, “I wouldn’t pay it if it was £1.” In the aftermath of his controversial quarterfinal defeat to Russia VLADIMIR NIKITIN, the west Belfast switch-hitter claimed the Int'l Boxing Association (AIBA) was “known for being cheats.” The AIBA notified Conlan’s solicitor PÁDRAIG Ó MUIRIGH that the 25-year-old will have to pay 10,000 Swiss Francs ($9,726) if he “requests to become subject to AIBA jurisdiction or seeks to become a coach or member of any national federation.” Conlan insists that, no matter what happens down the line, he will not hand over any money to AIBA. He said, "If the fine was £10, I still wouldn’t pay it and that’s the truth -- I wouldn’t pay it if it was £1" (IRISH NEWS, 12/20).
