Names In The News

Sources close to the case revealed Ligue 1 Marseille's new coach ELIE BAUP has been charged with "making fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits" after he was sacked by Nantes in '09. A Toulouse judge charged the 57-year-old Baup with receiving unemployment benefits at the same time "as he was being paid for work as a pundit at French TV Canal+." Baup could not be reached for comment (AFP, 7/31). ... While on their California trip, Real Madrid's players "tried their hand at baseball." XABI ALONSO was the one player who showed that when it comes to hitting, "no one does it better than him." Alonso was applauded by Arizona Diamondback players MIGUEL MONTERO and GERARDO PARRA. Montero also commented that Madrid keeper IKER CASILLAS "would be a great catcher," and that for the rest of the group "it's a good thing they play football" (MARCA, 7/31).