U.K. javelin coach DAVID PARKER has been suspended by British Athletics after allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a female thrower. Parker, a national performance institute coach for throws with British Athletics, "is understood to have had a relationship with an athlete who was studying at Loughborough University," where he is also the lead throws coach, at the time of the allegations. The university’s rules prohibit teacher-student relationships (LONDON GUARDIAN. 11/6). ... Former Italy midfielder ANDREA PIRLO announced he is retiring from football after playing his last game for Major League Soccer side NYCFC. The 38-year-old won 116 caps for Italy and helped the side win the 2006 World Cup. Pirlo began his career at Brescia and also played for Inter, AC Milan and Juventus before joining the MLS club two years ago (BBC, 11/6). ... Former EPL side Stoke City defender DIONATAN TEIXEIRA died on Sunday, aged 25, "from a suspected heart attack." He joined Stoke in '14 "having had trials at a number of Premier League clubs" including Man City (BBC, 11/6). ... Korean Tottenham forward SON HEUNG-MIN scored his second Premier League goal of the '17-18 season in a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday. With the goal, he became the top Asian scorer in the EPL, surpassing former ManU midfielder PARK JI-SUNG. Son has scored 20 goals in the Premier League since he joined the London-based club in '15 (KOREA TIMES, 11/6). ... Kenyan rugby int'l MIKE OKOMBE was killed by his girlfriend on Saturday. Known for his ball skills and "flamboyant nature," the 27-year-old was fatally stabbed following an argument during a friend’s birthday party (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 11/6).
