Singapore's SER MIANG NG "officially launched his bid" for IOC president on Thursday, saying that "he wanted youth to play a central role in the movement and to see IOC members more actively involved" (REUTERS, 5/16). ... Tijuana's "joy at upsetting former champions Palmeiras in the Libertadores Cup on Tuesday has been tempered" by the news that coach ANTONIO MOHAMED "intends to quit the Mexican club after their participation in the competition is over." Mohamed: "I'm going to fulfil my contract and when we end our participation in the cup I'm going to end my time in Tijuana because I miss my family" (REUTERS, 5/16). ... Palermo President MAURIZIO ZAMPARINI told Serie B Rosanero captain FABRIZIO MICCOLI “it’s best he leaves Palermo” after becoming embroiled in a Mafia investigation. The Rosanero captain is officially under investigation for buying telephone SIM cards for MARUO LAURICELLA, who is the son of alleged Mafia boss ANTONINO LAURICELLA (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 5/15). ... The Shanghai Sharks have appointmented WANG QUN head coach and re-signed player "MAX" ZHANG ZHAOXU. Wang, who has had a long history with the Sharks and Owner YAO MING, will "become the first official Chinese head coach since Yao took control over the club" in '09 (NIU BBALL, 5/16). ... Former Barcelona winger LUDOVIC GIULY "will call time on his 19-year playing career this summer" and recently spoke about his fond memories at Camp Nou. Frenchman Giuly won two La Liga titles and a Champions League medal with Barca during his time with the club between '04 and '07, and has since gone on to play for the likes of Roma and Paris Saint Germain (INSIDE SPANISH FOOTBALL, 5/16). ... Former football player and manager DIEGO MARADONA "threw stones at journalists and kicked a photographer" following his arrival at Argentina's Ezeiza int'l airport on Wednesday. The 52-year-old and his 22-year-old girlfriend, ROCIO OLIVA, "were surrounded by journalists and fans upon arriving at the terminal and allegedly asked his security team to use physical force to disperse onlookers" (XINHUA, 5/16). ... EPL side Queens Park Rangers striker LOIC REMY was released from jail Thursday on bail after facing questioning on allegations of rape (EFE, 5/16).
