Arsenal Head of Medical Services COLIN LEWIN "lost his job" after 23 years with the club. The decision was delivered to the 44-year-old on Monday and is understood to have left many players and staff "shocked and upset." Lewin leaves as part of a medical department restructure that "could result in further departures" (BBC, 5/15). ... BILL LAWRY is "putting down the the microphone" after four decades of cricket commentary for the Nine Network. The 81-year-old confirmed on Tuesday he "turned down offers from Fox Sports and the Seven Network," opting for retirement after Nine's loss in April of cricket media rights. He said, "I've had 40 great years at Channel Nine and I've been very, very lucky. ... I don't want to spoil a great journey" (AAP, 5/15). ... German FA (DFB) President REINHARD GRINDEL criticized national team players MESUT ÖZIL and ILKAY GUNDOGAN for "having their picture taken" with Turkey President RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN. The players, who are both of Turkish descent but were born in Germany, posed for the picture on Sunday in London (London INDEPENDENT, 5/15). ... PELÉ will testify in the vote-buying legal process that revolves around Rio de Janeiro's election as host of the 2016 Olympic Games. The former footballer will testify as a witness for the defense of CARLOS ARTHUR NUZMAN, the former president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee and the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee. His appearance before the judge will be by video conference on May 29 (AROUND THE RINGS, 5/14). ... Queensland and Kangaroos captain CAMERON SMITH dropped a "representative rugby league bombshell" by announcing he is "finished playing for the Maroons and Australia, effective immediately." The announcement "leaves the Maroons with a huge void to fill" in a position Smith has owned since '03 (FOX SPORTS, 5/15).
