Names In The News

The woman killed in a hit-and-run at Venice Beach, California, ALICE GRUPPIONI, was the daughter of VALEIRIO GRUPPIONI, former president of Serie A side Bologna FC. AC Milan expressed its condolences to Gruppioni and his family "following the passing of his daughter Alice" (NBC, 8/5). ... Sailing veteran and former British Olympian NEAL MCDONALD "is to take the helm as Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s performance director in the team’s second bid for Volvo Ocean Race glory next year" (GULF NEWS, 8/5). ... Former England footballer PAUL GASCOIGNE "has pleaded guilty to assault and being drunk and disorderly at a court hearing in Stevenage," but has escaped with a £1,000 ($1,500) fine (EUROSPORT, 8/5). ... Benin FA President ANJORIN MOUCHARAFOU, a "strong ally" of CAF President ISSA HAYATOU, "has been re-arrested and sent to jail two days after he declined to run for a third term." The businessman "is accused of mishandling" $650,000 in sponsorship money from mobile phone company MTN between '08 and '10 (GHANASOCCERNET, 8/3).