A candidate "running for Congress in Colombia recognized on Tuesday that his campaign committed an error" in using LIONEL MESSI's image "without his permission." A photo of Messi appeared "next to an image" of Congressional candidate JORGE CASALINS on social media. Casalins: "When these were published, I made a mistake. Perhaps the intention was good, but not how it was done. I apologize" (AP, 2/25). ... JOSÉ LUIS LLORENTE on Wednesday announced his resignation as president of the Spanish Basketball Players' Association (ABP). Llorente's replacement "could be ALFONSO REYES, currently the only person who has indicated interest in the role, which will be determined by a vote on Monday" (EL PAIS, 2/26). ... MLB Boston Red Sox pitcher KOJI UEHARA's "surprise success" has led to some added notoriety in his native Japan. Uehara parlayed his '13 accomplishments into an endorsement deal with Japanese beer company Suntory (NESN, 2/24). ... The Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed former captain RASHID LATIF as the new chief selector and also offered him an "important role" in dealing with anti-corruption issues. Latif, 45, who played 37 tests and 166 one-day matches from '92-03, "is a prominent voice against the menace of match-fixing in the country" (REUTERS, 2/26). ... Kent cricketer DARREN STEVENS "has been found not guilty" by an Int'l Cricket Council tribunal of "failing to report an illegal approach while playing in the Bangladesh Premier League in 2013." Stevens "had been charged with two counts of failing to report a corrupt approach while playing for the Dhaka Gladiators, and faced a five-year suspension from cricket if found guilty" (REUTERS, 2/26).
LOS ANDES EXECS RESIGN: For the "first time in Argentine FA history, an affiliated club is completely headless due to violence in football." Second division club Los Andes President OSCAR FERREYRA and "seven members of the club's Board of Directors resigned" after unidentified shooters fired six shots at Ferreyra's house on Monday night (CLARIN, 2/26).
