Journalist XAVI BOSCH, who accused Real Madrid President FLORENTINO PÉREZ of "influencing the judge's decision to proceed" with Barcelona club member JORDI CASES' complaint against former Barcelona President SANDRO ROSELL with regard to the "NEYMAR case," has apologized. Bosch: "My information was in regard to beliefs held by the Barça board. And I reported why they believe what they believe in reference to who, privately, they have said their source was. ... If they have not dared to go public with them, it must be because they have no proof and therefore I should not have done so either" (MARCA, 2/3). ... TIGER WOODS arrived in India Monday for his first visit to the country. Woods "will be playing an exhibition match" Tuesday that has been organized by leading motorcycle company Hero Motocorp. The motorcycle makers are reportedly paying Woods $2.2M in appearance money for one day (IANS, 2/3). ... French comedian DIEUDONNE M'BALA M'BALA "has been banned from entering the UK." Dieudonne is at the center of a racism row involving West Brom striker NICOLAS ANELKA. Dieudonne had said he would visit Anelka, who faces a ban for performing the comic's "quenelle" gesture (BBC, 2/3). ... Australian Olympic swimmer IAN THORPE's manager, JAMES ERKSINE, said Thorpe "has been admitted to a rehab clinic where he will be treated for depression." Erskine said that Thorpe "was found disoriented early Monday morning in the Sydney street where his parents live" (ABC, 2/4). ... The lawyer for former National Rugby League player BLAKE FERGUSON "has launched a scathing attack on the NRL for their lack of 'mercy' towards the troubled NSW Origin star." Lawyer ADAM HOUDA admitted that Ferguson "had a problem with alcohol but said he needed support -- not banishment -- from the game" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 2/4). ... Former F1 world champion NIKI LAUDA "has hit back" at F1 CEO BERNIE ECCLESTONE's attack on Mercedes and F1's new, greener and quieter era. Lauda: "I don't understand what Bernie said. The decision to go with the new engines was taken jointly, by everybody, five years ago. To criticize now makes no sense" (MOTORSPORT, 2/3). ... The Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee agreed a severance package for former CEO IAN TROOP. The settlement, which complies with his '11 employee contract, will provide him with a cash payment of $478,200 (Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan American Games). ... New Zealand rugby player DAN CARTER, who has been featured in Jockey's campaigns the last 10 years, is stepping away from the camera and will now take on a Global Ambassador role for the Jockey Int'l brand (All Blacks).
