NICOLAS DEBRIMOU has resigned as President of the Ivory Coast Athletics Federation (FIA) after he "failed to receive the support" of the organization's members during their General Assembly in Abidjan. His resignation came after "allegations of misappropriation and mismanagement of funds." He "opted to stand down with immediate effect." A statement said that "nearly half of the 57 Ivorian athletics clubs present at the meeting gave Debrimou a vote of no confidence amid the claims of wrongdoing, which he denied" (NAN, 12/21). ... GOU ZHONGWEN, director of China's General Administration of Sport, was named the president of the Chinese Olympic Committee. In addition, former COC President LIU PENG was named honorary chair of the committee. Liu has served as president of the COC since '05 (IANS, 12/28). ... TOM RENNEY is "stepping down" as president of Hockey Canada in a move he "hopes will make the organization more 'diverse.'" Hockey Canada COO SCOTT SMITH "is set to replace" Renney on July 1, while Renney will remain as CEO and "continue to lead and set the direction for the organization." Renney said that the move to promote Smith will "allow the organization to more effectively deliver on its mandate to grow the game within Canada, and abroad." Smith initially joined Hockey Canada in '95 and was named COO in '07 (CP, 12/29).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Argentine first division side Colón de Santa Fe announced that EDUARDO DOMÍNGUEZ will replace PAOLO MONTERO as head coach. Domínguez previously coached Argentine first division side Huracán (OLÉ, 1/2). ... Bayern Munich assistant PAUL CLEMENT "has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal to become" EPL side Swansea City's next manager. Clement was interviewed by the club before BOB BRADLEY was appointed as its manager in October. He is set to be Swansea's third manager of the season (BBC, 1/3). ... League One side Gillingham has sacked Manager JUSTIN EDINBURGH after less than two years in charge. The Gills finished ninth last season, but are currently 17th in the table. Edinburgh's assistant DAVID KERSLAKE and coach WAYNE HATSWELL have also been "relieved of their duties" (BBC, 1/3). ... A-League side Melbourne City head coach JOHN VAN ‘T SCHIP has resigned to “return to The Netherlands to be with his terminally ill father.” Van ‘t Schip was “coming off contract at the end of this season and had been expected to return to Amsterdam in any case, but his father’s serious illness has brought that decision forward.” One of the club’s two assistant coaches -- MICHAEL VALKANIS -- “will take charge as interim first team coach until a replacement is hired” (THE AGE, 1/3). ... Former League Championship side Leeds United and ManU striker ALAN SMITH has been “placed in temporary charge” of League Two side Notts County while the club looks for a new permanent manager. Smith has been asked to oversee first-team duties “following the sacking of JOHN SHERIDAN.” MARK CROSSLEY will “continue in his role as assistant manager.” Sheridan left Meadow Lane on Monday, hours after a 4-0 defeat at Cambridge (PA, 1/3).
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