RORY MCILROY announced that he "will represent Ireland at the Rio Olympics in 2016 when golf makes its return to the Games for the first time since 1904" (BELFAST TELEGRAPH, 6/18). ... La Liga side Valencia President AMADEO SALVO met with coach JUAN ANTONIO PIZZI to "inform Pizzi that he will not be able to stay with the club." Salvo "had stated his support for Pizzi just a month ago" (EL MUNDO, 6/18). ... NFL Detroit Lions running back REGGIE BUSH is in Australia "promoting the NFL's new TV contract with the Seven network." Bush also appeared on Seven's "Sunrise" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/17). ... Cricket's "most controversial bowler," Sri Lankan MUTTIAH MURALITHARAN, "has joined Cricket Australia as a specialist coach." Muralitharan "will help the Test squad prepare for its series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates later this year" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 6/18). ... The camp of boxer MANNY PACQUIAO said that JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ's demand to be paid $20M to "fight the Filipino ring icon for the fifth time is unreasonable." Pacquiao's business manager ERIC PINEDA said, “If you will ask me if I’m going to bite that [Marquez’s $20 million demand], I will simply say no” (MANILA TIMES, 6/17).
CRICKET PENALTIES: A "special tribunal" has imposed an eight-year ban on cricketer MOHAMMAD ASHRAFUL "for his involvement" in Bangladesh Premier League match-fixing. The tribunal "also fined him" with Tk10 lakh ($17,000). The ban "will be effective in all forms of cricket." Dhaka Gladiators Owner SHIHAB CHOWDHURY "has also been banned for ten years and fined" with Tk20 lakh ($34,000). Former New Zealand cricketer LOU VINCENT has also "been banned for three years" while Sri Lankan cricketer KAUSHAL LOKUARACHCHI for 18 months. The accused "will get the opportunity to file appeal against the tribunal’s decision within 21 days" (DHAKA TRIBUNE, 6/18). ... Former Sussex cricketer NAVEED ARIF "has been banned from cricket for life" by the England and Wales Cricket Board "after breaching its anti-corruption code," the ruling body announced on Wednesday. Pakistani Arif "admitted six breaches of the code relating to corrupt activity in connection with a 40-over match against Kent in August 2011" (REUTERS, 6/18).
