TIGER WOODS will attend a sponsors' day in England rather than accept U.S. captain JIM FURYK's invite to join him on a Ryder Cup reconnaissance trip next month. Woods was appointed by Furyk as vice-captain in September and "declared that he intends to take on an unprecedented dual role as a player as well." It is not clear who will accompany Furyk. Unless he alters his plans, Woods will be at a photo shoot with RORY MCILROY in London (London TELEGRAPH, 6/26). ... Force India Formula 1 Team Principal VIJAY MALLYA, the former drinks baron who is wanted by Indian authorities over alleged fraud, "broke his silence" to plead innocence and request permission to sell assets in order to repay some of his loans. Mallya, who has been living in the U.K. since '16, released a statement on Tuesday in which he accused Indian law enforcement agencies of making "various untenable and blatantly false allegations" against him (FINANCIAL TIMES, 6/27). ... PHIL NEVILLE's son, HARVEY, is "poised to continue" the family's name at ManU. Harvey, a midfielder, signed a contract with the club on his 16th birthday on Tuesday and will join the ManU academy (STUFF, 6/27). ... Wallabies fullback ISRAEL FOLAU was handed a one-match ban by World Rugby for "aerial challenges during the national team's defeat by Ireland" last Saturday, although Rugby Australia is "set to appeal the decision." Folau was given a yellow card and then a warning from a citing commissioner after he was "deemed to commit two dangerous aerial challenges" during Australia's 20-16 third test loss to Ireland, leading to a disciplinary hearing with World Rugby (REUTERS, 6/27). ... Premier League side Crystal Palace offered ROY HODGSON a one-year contract extension that would keep him at the club until '20. The 71-year-old signed a two-year deal last September. The former England manager is "understood to be relaxed about his contract despite having only 12 months left on his present deal," but Palace is "eager to promote greater stability," having had four managers in the past three years (LONDON TIMES, 6/27).
