New Zealand sevens coach GORDON TIETJENS "has invited a host of All Blacks and Super Rugby players to chase a place at the 2016 Olympics" (NZ NEWSWIRE, 7/29). ... French football player ROBERT PIRES "became the latest veteran footballer to sign up to the inaugural Indian Super League" (IB TIMES, 7/29). ... British tennis player LAURA ROBSON on Tuesday "was named an ambassador for SportsAid," a U.K. charity that helps young British athletes become the next Olympic, Paralympic or world champions. Robson will work with the U.K.'s "most promising young female athletes" (XINHUA, 7/29). ... EPL side West Ham Owner DAVID GOLD claimed "jetlag" was to blame for his "favoriting" of a derogatory message about Manager SAM ALLARDYCE on Twitter. Gold was sent a message by a West Ham fan reading, "Is today the day we get rid of BFS ?? fingers crossed," a reference to Allardyce’s nickname Big Fat Sam, and favorited it, which was seen by his 92,000 followers. Gold: "After a 33 hour flight from New Zealand, I was in my car scanning through my tweets and it seems I accidentally favorited one" (London TELEGRAPH, 7/29). ... British Olympic Silver Medalist EMMA POOLEY will retire from cycling after competing in the road race at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday, claiming Glasgow will be the “perfect opportunity” to bow out on a high (London GUARDIAN, 7/29).
IN BARCELONA: Barcelona's LIONEL MESSI posted a message on his Instagram account on Monday night saying, "A lion doesn't concern himself with the opinions of a sheep." His message came after a judge "ordered that a tax evasion case against the player go ahead" (EPOCH TIMES, 7/29). ... Barcelona member JORDI CASES' lawyer, FELIPE IZQUIERDO, said that Barcelona President JOSEP MARIA BARTOMEU and VP JAVIER FAUS should be tried in the case investigating the club's signing of NEYMAR last summer. Faus said he was unconcerned by the threat. Faus: "Our legal team says that there is nothing to fear. No, I wouldn't resign, we are calm" (REUTERS, 7/30).
POLITICAL STATEMENT: England cricket player MOEEN ALI has been banned by the Int'l Cricket Council "from wearing wristbands proclaiming 'Save Gaza' and 'Free Palestine' during all international matches."
The England & Wales Cricket Board "had cleared the 27-year-old Worcestershire and England batsman to wear the adornments."
World cricket’s governing body "confirmed this morning, however, that its rules do not allow players to display messages relating to political, religious or racial activities or causes without prior approval from the ICC itself" (LONDON TIMES, 7/29).
