Father and son team STEPHEN and MICHAEL MCCONVILLE were banned from racing for three years "for horse doping." ANSEANACHAI CLISTE was withdrawn from a race at the Cheltenham Festival on March 17 "after being injected with a tonic which contained banned cobalt." The McConvilles admitted to doping charges at the British Horseracing Authority hearing (BBC, 9/19). ... Former ManU and England captain RIO FERDINAND will "attempt to become a professional boxer." The 38-year-old confirmed he is taking up the sport. Ferdinand, who is "hoping" to get his British Boxing Board of Control license with the help of bookmaker Betfair, said, "When Betfair approached me about the Defender to Contender challenge, the chance to prove myself in a new sport was a real draw" (London TELEGRAPH, 9/17). ... Former Australian Football League coach GUY MCKENNA said that "Essendon's decision to downgrade his role sparked his left-field career change to cricket." McKenna left the club to join Cricket Victoria, "where he will serve as coaching and talent identification specialist" (THE AGE, 9/19).
