Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach "has extended its contract" with head coach LUCIEN FAVRE. The 56-year-old "has signed an early contract extension until '17." Favre's current contract "was set to expire in '15" (BILD, 3/12). ... Mexican Football Federation President JUSTINO COMPEÁN said that "the fate of Liga MX side Queretaro will be decided on the field." Responding "to rumors that the club could lose its league affiliation," Compeán said, "The promotion and relegation is on the field, they do not have to lose affiliation" (LA AFICION, 3/11). ... Spanish track athlete ANTONIO DAVID JIMÉNEZ PENTINEL, 37, was arrested on Wednesday "for trafficking in doping substances." Syringes, "vials of growth hormone and blood ready for self-injected transfusions, as well as other substances, were found in a search of his home" (SPORT, 3/11). ... South Korean figure skating Gold and Silver Medalist KIM YU-NA "is still recognized as Team Korea’s athlete of the year," alongside two-time speed skating Gold Medalist LEE SANG-HWA. At the 19th annual Coca-Cola Sports Award ceremony on Wednesday, "Kim and Lee were awarded with the Grand Prize plaque for their individual accomplishments at the 2014 Winter Olympics." Other notable athletes "who were also honored at the award ceremony" include skaters PARK SEUNG-HI and SHIM SUK-HEE and freestyle skier CHOI JAE-WOO (KOREA HERALD, 3/12). ... The Afghanistan Cricket Board said that former Papua New Guinea national coach PETER ANDERSON "has been appointed as the coach of the newly established National Cricket Academy in Kabul." Anderson "will take up his role on April 15 at the academy in the Kabul Cricket Stadium" (PAJHWOK AFGHAN NEWS, 3/12). ... F1 Red Bull driver SEBASTIAN VETTEL "will be driving 'Suzie' around the bend when the season starts in Australia on Sunday." Vettel has given a female name to all of his Red Bull cars. Last year's "RB9 car was dubbed 'Hungry Heidi'" (REUTERS, 3/12). … MOHAMMED JAMIL ABDELKADER has been elected president of the Arab Federation for Sports Journalism for the next four years. ABDULLAH AL MARRI of Qatar is the new secretary general (THE PENINSULA, 3/12). … Royal & Ancient CEO PETER DAWSON will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 HSBC Golf Business Forum, which will take place from April 28-30 at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa. The award recognizes outstanding contribution, achievement and leadership in golf and the business of golf (HSBC). … J.League side Albirex Niigata player RODNEY WEBB received the “biggest suspension in league history.” He was suspended for the “final 12 games of the regular season and postseason plus a $1,000 fine after kicking Akita center CHAS MCFARLAND, who was on the floor, in the head” (JAPAN TIMES, 3/12).
SCHUMACHER UPDATE: Former F1 driver MICHAEL SCHUMACHER is showing "small, encouraging signs" of recovery from injuries sustained in a ski accident. Schumacher remains in hospital in the French Alpine city of Grenoble. Family spokesperson Sabine Kehm said, "There sometimes are small, encouraging signs, but we also know this is the time to be very patient" (AFP, 3/12). Former F1 driver DAVID COULTHARD said that "the whole motor racing world is behind Michael Schumacher and his family." Coulthard: "Michael is a legend of the sport, and a friend of many in it. Whilst his family is going through a terrible a time, I think what less could be done" (HERALD SUN, 3/12).
NO APOLOGY: A-League side Sydney FC coach FRANK FARINA said that if ALI ABBAS had received an apology "there would be no need" for Football Federation Australia's investigation into alleged racial vilification. Farina on Wednesday "voiced his support for his Iraq-born midfielder" who claimed that he was the victim of slurs against his religion and culture. Farina: "Ali Abbas is a very honest, reliable, loyal person and for him to react that way, I have not seen him react that way since I've been at the club. ... But the whole situation could have been finished. Knowing Ali really well, if it had been said and if the person that said it had apologized it would be over" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 3/12).
