Tocopilla, Chile "has wanted to name one of its streets after" Barcelona player ALEXIS SÁNCHEZ "for a long time, and now the city has decided which one." The Tocopilla city council "conducted a survey in which 32% of voters chose Cuarta Poniente street over five other streets as the one that will one day be named after Alexis Sánchez" (SPORT, 12/21). ... Bayern Munich's FRANCK RIBERY was "named Man of the Year by German football magazine Kicker." Ribery "won the same award in '08" (EFE, 12/22). ... Tennis player DAVID FERRER said on Sunday that he "has split" with coach JAVIER PILES "after a 15-year working relationship" (EFE, 12/22). ... Pirelli Motorsports Dir PAUL HEMBERY admitted the "Italian manufacturer was hurt by Red Bull's criticism of its tyres during the 2013 Formula 1 season." Red Bull dominated the championship, "with Sebastian Vettel taking nine wins in a row after the summer break." Hembery "believes Red Bull's criticism weakened Pirelli's position, and admitted it was disappointing to see it, especially during such a dominant campaign." Hembery: "That was very disappointing as they had clearly dominated and won the championship so convincingly -- that was really the opening up of a lot of comment and debate that really shouldn't happen" (AUTOSPORT, 12/22). ... Olympic Gold Medalist triathlete HAMISH CARTER will look to help New Zealand athletes "in his new role at High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ)." Carter, who won a Gold Medal in the triathlon at the 2004 Athens Olympics, "has been appointed Performance Planning Manager at HPSNZ where he will work with selected coaches and athletes aiming to win medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games" (High Performance Sport New Zealand). ... New Zealand rugby player SONNY BILL WILLIAMS "is returning to ruby union" in '15, having signed a "two-year deal with New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs." He is "eyeing a berth at both Rugby World Cup 2015, with the All Blacks, and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with the All Blacks Sevens." Williams was a "key part of the Chiefs' Super Rugby championship-winning side" in '12, but he was not "involved in this year's repeat after returning to rugby league" (ESPN, 12/20). ... Former League One Gillingham Manager MARTIN ALLEN “is the favourite to take over” for AIDY BOOTHROYD as Northampton manager. A club spokesperson said, “The board of directors just felt it was time for a change” (LONDON TIMES, 12/22). ... U.K. Anti-Doping Agency CEO ANDY PARKINSON will head the eight-member team that will monitor drug-testing at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Drug testing at the games is run by the IOC (AP, 12/19). ... Int’l cricketer GRAEME SWANN has retired “with immediate effect.” The 34-year-old spinner, who has played in all three Tests in which England have been outplayed in Australia, announced his decision Sunday morning. With England “having surrendered the Ashes so meekly, there had been speculation that some senior players, including Swann, would be dropped or might consider retirement.” However, the suddenness of Swann’s announcement in the middle of the series “will have surprised many” (SUNDAY TIMES, 12/22).
