PHILIPPE COUTINHO completed his transfer to Barcelona from Liverpool after signing a contract at Camp Nou on Monday. The Brazilian "put pen to paper" on a five-and-a-half-year deal alongside club President JOSEP MARIA BARTOMEU, having earlier undergone a medical (OMNISPORT, 1/8). ... Two-time Australian Open champion VICTORIA AZARENKA withdrew
from the event because of the "ongoing custody battle over her
11-month-old son." Azarenka cannot leave California with LEO "until the dispute is resolved" (BBC, 1/8). ... Former Australian Football League side Geelong coach MARK THOMPSON is "under investigation by Victoria Police and on Friday had his Port Melbourne home raided." Detectives from Melbourne and Geelong searched his renovated warehouse but Thompson was not arrested. He is expected to be interviewed on Tuesday (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 1/8). ... Rugby player FRANK PRITCHARD "brought down the curtain" on his 15-year National Rugby League career despite having a contract from Parramatta "on the table" for the '18 season. After a 280-game career which included stints with Penrith, Canterbury, English Super League club Hull FC and one year with the Eels, the 34-year-old "elected to hang up the boots" (SMH, 1/5). ... Former AC Milan Owner SILVIO BERLUSCONI ruled out returning to Milan "once and for all." He said, "I don't want to get anyone's hopes up." Berlusconi is on record criticizing Milan's new owners but the 80-year-old -- who will stand in the Italian general election in March -- "insisted his time at San Siro was finished" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 1/8). ... MLB L.A. Angels GM BILLY EPPLER met with Japanese club Nippon Ham Fighters officials on Monday "to seek advice in preparation" for SHOHEI OHTANI's "move to the majors." The meeting lasted around 45 minutes, after which Eppler did not make any comments (KYODO, 1/8). ... Former football coach BARRY BENNELL "has pleaded guilty" to seven
child sexual offenses. Bennell, 63, "entered guilty pleas to six counts
of indecent assault at the start of his trial at Liverpool crown
court." The former League Two side Crewe Alexandra coach is charged with
a total of 55 offenses, "including 42 counts of indecent assault, 11
counts of buggery and two counts of attempted buggery" (PA, 1/8).
