TV Azteca's ENRIQUE GARAY announced that he is leaving the broadcaster. He covered the NFL and NBA. His departure is "one more in the network's sports section, after EMILIO FERNANDO ALONSO and JUAN CARLOS VÁZQUEZ left TV Azteca one week ago" (LA AFICIÓN, 7/6). ... A 24-year-old British Tamil batsman died after being "hit by a ball on the chest while playing" for British Tamil League third division side Manipay Parish. BAVALAN PATHMANATHAN was playing at the Long Ditton recreation grounds on Sunday when he "received the blow" (IANS, 7/7). ... Liverpool striker MARIO BALOTELLI has been "granted compassionate leave after a family bereavement and will miss the first day of pre-season training on Monday." The 24-year-old Italian was not with his teammates when they "reassembled after the summer break amid media reports of the death of his adoptive father," FRANCESCO, over the weekend (REUTERS, 7/7). ... NFL Carolina Panthers quarterback CAM NEWTON has spent several days in Australia as part of an athlete exchange program and went to two Australian Football League matches over the weekend, including Richmond's win over the GWS Giants. Newton "admitted he knew nothing about the local game before arriving in Australia, but he said it was 'a very cool sport' and he hoped to stay in touch with some of the players" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 7/7). ... Australian Turf Club Exec GM MATT RUDOLPH will "continue in his role for the next month ahead of a show-cause hearing into his alleged attempt to have a trainer change the evidence given in a stewards’ inquiry." The ATC will "review the matter" concerning Rudolph after the hearing, scheduled for Aug. 5 (THE AUSTRALIAN, 7/8). ... Five former Major League Baseball players and an ex-Japanese Olympic Medalist will be in the New Zealand Diamondblacks' dugout as they "strive to qualify for the next World Baseball Classic." Current Seattle Mariners first base/infield coach CHRIS WOODWARD will be the head coach for the Diamondblacks. Woodward's support staff will include former Milwaukee Brewers manager RON ROENICKE (bench coach), L.A. Dodgers scout JOSH BARD (hitting coach), Seattle Mariners quality control coach CHRIS PRIETO (base running and infield coach), New Zealand-domiciled former Japan and Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher NAOYUKI SHIMIZU (pitching coach) and former MLB Pitcher D.J. CARRASCO (bullpen coach) (STUFF, 7/7).
MOURINHO COMMITS TO CHELSEA: Chelsea Manager JOSÉ MOURINHO agreed to terms with the club on a new four-year contract. The deal, which will see Mourinho remain on his £8.5M ($13.1M)-a-year salary, "is expected to be officially announced before the start of next season" (London EVENING STANDARD, 7/7).
CONTE FACES TRIAL: Italy Manager ANTONIO CONTE "has been ordered to stand trial after being accused of sporting fraud in relation to an investigation into match-fixing." The 45-year-old served a four-month suspension in '12 for "allegedly failing to report attempts to fix two games during his time in charge of Siena." The Court of Cremona has now requested that Conte and 103 other people must "stand trial over the alleged match-fixing" (GOAL, 7/7).
