Former Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President CARLO TAVECCHIO has been "accused of sexual harassment." He was reportedly accused by an unnamed woman. The woman in question, a sporting exec, alleged that she visited Tavecchio in his office to discuss work, but he "attempted to touch her" and closed the curtains so they would not be seen. She also asserted "that's just one incident, I could tell of many more" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 11/21). ... Three-time Olympian TONIA COUCH "announced her retirement from diving" following a 12-year senior career. Couch won silver at Glasgow's Commonwealth Games in '14 and three European medals (BBC, 11/21). ... Republic of Ireland defender CYRUS CHRISTIE called on the football community to "stand up'' to racism after revealing he "has been a target on social media." Christie was "subjected to abuse on Twitter" after scoring an own-goal during the World Cup playoff defeat by Denmark, with the FA of Ireland reporting his treatment to the state police (PA, 11/20). ... MARIA SHARAPOVA is under investigation for "cheating and criminal conspiracy after the collapse of a luxury housing project" that she endorsed in Gurgaon, India. The firm behind the development is alleged to have taken a "huge amount of money from homebuyers before the project folded" (TIMES OF INDIA, 11/21). ... Mongolian sumo wrestler HARUMAFUJI apologized last week after media reported he "pounded" junior wrestler TAKANOIWA "with his bare fists and a beer bottle while drinking at a restaurant-bar with other wrestlers last month." Conflicting reports have emerged about "what took place and how serious Takanoiwa's injuries were" (REUTERS, 11/21).
