Japanese footballer KAZUYOSHI MIURA, who plays for J.League second division side Yokohama, "appeared in a professional match at the age of 50 years and seven days" to beat former England int'l STANLEY MATTHEWS' longevity record. Miura played 54 minutes in Saturday's 1-1 draw with V-Varen Nagasaki, "enough to move past the record Matthews set when he played for Stoke City against Fulham at the age of 50 years and five days" in '65 (London DAILY MAIL, 3/7). ... Former El Salvador Football Federation (FESFUT) President REYNALDO VASQUEZ, who is wanted in the U.S. for "alleged corruption," was sentenced to eight years in Salvadoran prison "for labor fraud," the country's attorney general's office said. Vasquez, head of FESFUT from '09-10, was "found guilty of improperly appropriating insurance discounts, provisions and union dues from 204 workers of a family-owned bed-manufacturing company" from '12-14 (REUTERS, 3/7). ... British former world heavyweight champion TYSON FURY said that "he will make a comeback against an unnamed opponent in May, even though he is under a provisional suspension from the sport." He tweeted, "Breaking news. Return of the MAC. May 13th, working on an opponent, more news to follow" (REUTERS, 3/6). ... Former League Two side Crewe Alexandra coach BARRY BENNELL has been charged "with eight counts of historical child sexual abuse." The 63-year-old "will appear via video link at South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court" on March 13. The charge "relates to alleged offences against two boys" between '80-87 (London INDEPENDENT, 3/7). ... Melbourne Cup-winning jockey MICHELLE PAYNE has been fined A$1,500 ($1,138) for "posting an insulting tweet" directed at Flemington track manager MICK GOODIE. Payne was "carpeted by stewards following the outburst on social media" that read, "maybe Mick Goodie's position needs to be reviewed? He has no-one to answer to, gets away with it time and time again." Her comments "referred to the track at Flemington last Saturday" (THE AGE, 3/7).
JOINING THE BOARD: Australian Football League Women's player and Melbourne captain DAISY PEARCE was elected to the AFL Players' Association Board, becoming the first female director in the association's 43-year history. Pearce was voted onto the board at Tuesday's AGM, alongside Collingwood captain SCOTT PENDLEBURY, GWS Giants co-captain PHIL DAVIS, Western Bulldogs premiership player EASTON WOOD and Carlton player SAM DOCHERTY (AFLPA).
THREE-MATCH BAN: ManU's ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC accepted his FA charge for "violent conduct" and will miss his club's next three domestic games. The 35-year-old "will be suspended for Monday's FA Cup clash at Chelsea and Premier League fixtures with Middlesbrough and West Brom." The charge will not impact "his availability for European games" as ManU travels to Russia this week, where it faces Rostov in the Europa League. Ibrahimovic was charged by the FA for elbowing Bournemouth's TYRONE MINGS in Saturday's draw at Old Trafford -- and the Bournemouth defender "could be sanctioned with a ban of his own for an alleged stamp on the Swede's head" (London TELEGRAPH, 3/7).
