The Rugby Football Union on Thursday announced "an investigation into reports referee Nigel Owens was subjected to homophobic abuse by supporters during England's game with New Zealand last weekend."
The Welsh official, who is openly gay, "is reported to have been targeted by fans during England's 24-21 loss to the All Blacks at Twickenham" (AFP, 11/13). ... Mercedes F1 Exec Dir Toto Wolff "has played down Red Bull's threat of an engine development spending war in 2016 by saying the major car manufacturers agree on the need to keep costs down." Wolff: "Nobody can really be in favor of an all-out engine war in 2016. No serious company would allow that to happen. And none of the current engine suppliers can allow that to happen because costs would be escalating totally out of control. It's irresponsible" (REUTERS, 11/13). ... The Egyptian national handball team, which "was to play two friendlies against Qatar at the end of November," has canceled those two matches. However, the team will be present at the World Cup next year, which Qatar will host. This decision, which was "carried out in a difficult context between Cairo and Doha," follows the refusal of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to participate in the int’l competition. Egyptian Handball Federation President Khaled Hamouda said, “We must exercise wisdom in facing pressures currently placed on the Handball Federation” (L’EQUIPE, 11/13).
