BEN NICHOLS was appointed director of communications & public affairs for the Commonwealth Games Federation. He will oversee all communications strategy, media and stakeholder relations for the federation, the Commonwealth Sports Foundation and CGF Partnerships. Nichols most recently led communications for the Athletics Integrity Unit, and is the former WADA senior manager of communications & media relations (CGF). ... Paris St. Germain appointed RUSSELL STOPFORD its chief digital officer. He will lead the club's development and strategy across all digital platforms with the aim of enhancing and increasing content for a global audience (PSG). ... Australian Football League side Brisbane Lions Chair BOB SHARPLESS "informed the board of his intent to resign." Sharpless has been chair for four years but "opted to step down from the board to provide clear air around the club's plans to move to a new base at Springfield." He is the deputy chair of the Springfield Land Corporation -- which is a "major partner in the Lions' planned relocation" -- and has been "the subject of claims of a conflict of interest throughout his term" (Brisbane COURIER-MAIL, 11/7).
MANAGERS/COACHES: Serie A side Genoa named DAVIDE BALLARDINI its coach on Monday, the third time he has led Italy's oldest club. The 53-year-old replaced IVAN JURIĆ, who was sacked on Sunday with his side third from the bottom of the table. Ballardini was previously in charge during the '10-11 season and for the second half of the '12-13 campaign (REUTERS, 11/6). ... EPL club West Ham United confirmed DAVID MOYES as its new manager until the end of the season "following the sacking" of SLAVEN BILIĆ on Monday. West Ham co-Chair DAVID SULLIVAN said that Moyes, 54, is "the right man to turn things around" (LONDON TIMES, 11/7). ... Argentine Superliga side Vélez Sarsfield coach OMAR DE FELIPPE "resigned after being spat on by a fan" of the club, following 31 games in charge. He said, "I'm leaving because of what happened on the pitch. A fan spat at me. I can't stand that. I can't put up with a stupid person spitting at me. Better to leave now" (ESPN.com, 11/7). ... Scottish Championship side Dundee United is expected to appoint CSABA LÁSZLÓ as its new manager on Wednesday. Hungarian László, 53, managed Heart of Midlothian between July '08 and Jan. '10, and led the club to third in the Scottish Premier League in his one full season. He was last with Slovakian side Dunajská Streda (BBC, 11/7).
