After a "heated discussion" between footballer RONALDINHO and Atletico MG President ALEXANDRE KALIL, the latter decided to keep his player out of Sunday's Game with Brasileiro club Vasco (LANCENET.com.br, 8/12). ... USAIN BOLT was asked who deserves the Ballon d'Or this year between CRISTIANO RONALDO and LIONEL MESSI. His response: "Without a doubt, Cristiano is better than Messi. He is a more complete player" (AS, 8/12). ... South African-born English cricketer KEVIN PIETERSEN has been dropped from England's squad for the third Test against South Africa "after the controversial batsman was caught up in a text message row." England’s selectors "made their decision to axe Pietersen" following reports he sent text messages to several South Africa players during the second Test at Headingley, England that were believed to contain derogatory comments about English captain ANDREW STRAUSS and coach ANDY FLOWER. JONNY BAIRSTOW has been selected in place of Pietersen (AFP, 8/12). ... SID WADDELL, known as "the voice of darts," died of cancer at the age of 72. Waddell was renowned as a darts commentator at the BBC and then Sky TV. Fellow commentators and fans endeared him for his well known phrases, such as "there hasn't been this much excitement since the Romans fed the Christians to the lions" and "there's only one word for that - magic darts." The Daily Mirror's Mike Walters summed up Sid's appeal: "If puns, pathos or peerless analogy is your currency, nobody does it better" (London GUARDIAN, 8/12). ... FA Chair DAVID BERNSTEIN met with the Professional Footballers' Association to "discuss ways of improving the standards of behaviour seen on the pitch." Bernstein said, "The discipline of our athletes is a benchmark that all sports people can aspire towards" (BBC, 8/12). ... Footballer DAVID BECKHAM "thanked British troops" for their security work at the London Games. Beckham stopped at the vehicle search area on the edge of the Olympic Park to "show his gratitude to servicemen." Beckham said, "They're doing an incredible job. What they've done so far. They're keeping everyone calm and letting people enjoy the Games" (BRECORDER.com, 8/11). ... NBA Commissioner DAVID STERN and Barclay's Premier League CEO RICHARD SCUDAMORE took part in an open discussion panel at NBA House in Convent Garden, London, in the presence of leading figures from the world of sports and business. Some of the attendees included: US Ambassador for the U.K. LOUIS SUSMAN, NBA Denver Nuggets Owner and Arsenal FC majority shareholder STAN KROENKE, NBA Oklahoma City Thunder Owner CLAYTON BENNETT, Rugby Football Union CEO IAN RITCHIE, U.S. Chair JERRY COLANGELO, former French Int'l and current Manchester City Football Development Exec PATRICK VIEIRA and Euroleague Basketball CEO JORDI BERTOMEU (Premier League).
