Spanish left-wing politician ALBERTO GARZON lashed out at Spanish government on Wednesday, claiming that Spain's Minister of Finance is "dragging his feet on the legal drama" surrounding Barcelona forward LIONEL MESSI's tax evasion allegations as well as "other high-profile cases." Garzon said, "In this country, if your name's Messi, and you pay whatever money is necessary and negotiate with his [CRISTÓBAL MONTORO's] ministry, you don't go to prison. That's not justice; it's unworthy of the name" (ESPN, 4/23). ... Sunderland winger ADAM JOHNSON has been charged with three offenses of "sexual activity with a child under 16 and one of grooming." He was initially arrested on March 2 and will appear at Peterlee magistrates court in County Durham on May 20. Johnson, who has played 12 times for England, "was initially suspended and then reinstated by his club after being arrested" (PA, 4/23). ... Former Bayer Leverkusen defender EMIR SPAHIĆ has been banned from football for three months after "fighting with security staff following a German Cup tie." Video footage showed him "punching and headbutting two stewards, with one losing several teeth," after a home cup defeat by Bayern Munich on April 8 (BBC, 4/23). ... Former ManU Manager ALEX FERGUSON will donate £5,000 ($7,500) to a fund to "build a statue of a woman who successfully led rent strikes during the First World War." He is supporting the "Remember MARY BARBOUR Fund" in memory of the "formidable firebrand" from Govan in Glasgow (STV, 4/23). ... EPL side Everton Life President PHILIP CARTER, the "most successful chairman" in the club's history, has died aged 87. Carter "died peacefully at home" on Thursday morning after a short illness. Carter joined the club as a director in '73. He "rose to the position of chairman" in '78 and went on to "preside over a period of domestic and European success" (BBC, 4/23). ... KELLIE MALONEY is "returning to boxing as a promoter, less than a year after announcing she was undergoing gender reassignment." As Frank, Maloney was "one of British boxing's most high-profile promoters" and led boxer LENNOX LEWIS to the world heavyweight crown (BBC, 4/23). ... Qatari track and field athlete MUTAZ ESSA BARSHIM received the Arab Sportsman of the year award. Tunisian Handball player MONA AL SABAH "went away" with the Best Arab Sportswoman of the year Award while Algeria "claimed" the Best Arab Sports Team (ZEE NEWS, 4/23).
