Spanish footballer JORDI ALBA threatened to "cut a journalist’s head off" on Monday after Spain ended its World Cup campaign. Alba said to a journalist from Spanish newspaper AS, "Next time I am going to cut your head off" (FOOTBALL ESPANA, 6/24). ... Former MLB L.A. Dodgers Owner FRANK MCCOURT acquired a 50% stake in Global Champions Tour, a "premier" int'l show jumping series. McCourt "declined to reveal financial terms of the agreement" with Tour founder JAN TOPS (BLOOMBERG, 6/23). ... An Indian court "issued an arrest warrant" against national cricket team captain MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI on Tuesday "for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus." The case "was filed last year against the 32-year-old after the cover of an Indian magazine carried a picture of him portrayed as a Hindu god" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 6/24). ... Chelsea Manager JOSE MOURINHO "has slammed FIFA for their 'bad organisation' which has led to inconsistent fixture scheduling and poor pitches at the 2014 World Cup." The Portuguese "does not believe that teams from the same group should play their final matches having had an extra day's rest, as is the case in Group G." Mourinho also insisted that his experience as a spectator trying to watch the World Cup "has been limited by the poor pitches in Brazil." He said they are not ''acceptable'' for a tournament of that magnitude (DAILY MAIL, 6/24). ... Three-time Tour de France winner GREG LEMOND will make his debut as a TV pundit at the Tour de France as a cycling consultant for Eurosport (Eurosport).
LI NA SUPPORTING CANCER: Reigning Australian Open champion LI NA "posted a topless photo on her Weibo on June 17 to raise awareness of breast cancer." The world's No. 2 women's tennis player is pictured with slogans covering her chest which read "hold on to both health and dream" and "I am beautiful and I check myself." Though "unexceptional," the post nonetheless "caused a stir in China, where nudity is taboo." The response "was overwhelming positive, however" (WANT CHINA TIMES, 6/20).
SPONSOR DROPS SCHUMACHER: Former F1 driver MICHAEL SCHUMACHER "has lost his first sponsor since his skiing accident on Dec. 29, which left him in a coma for more than five months." Germany-based beverage producer HassiaGroup "will not extend its contract with the seven-time world champion, which is set to expire at the end of '14." A HassiaGroup spokesperson said, "After that we will only use our product in our commercials." The company "has already withdrawn its sparkling water commercial which featured Schumacher" (BILD, 6/23).
