DIEGO MARADONA was presented as chair of Belarusian team Dinamo Brest at a "colourful reception." Brest, which is sixth in the Belarusian Premier League, announced the arrival of the 57-year-old in May. At his presentation, Maradona was "given a ring and signed various items" (BBC, 7/16). ... Former Kiwis captain MARK GRAHAM will be the first New Zealander inducted into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame. Graham, 62, was named as an inductee on Tuesday alongside five others: CLIFF LYONS, STEVE MENZIES, RICKY STUART, GORDEN TALLIS and PETERO CIVONICEVA (STUFF, 7/18). ... Australian football int'l TIM CAHILL announced his retirement from the int'l game. The former Socceroo, 38, confirmed via Twitter that the World Cup group match against Peru was "his last game for the national side" (FOX SPORTS, 7/16). ... ALEXIS SÁNCHEZ missed the start of ManU's U.S. tour as he was "unable to get a visa." The Chilean striker, 29, accepted a 16-month suspended jail sentence in February for tax fraud in Spain. Under U.S. law, "no person found guilty of fraud can be granted a visa to enter the country." There is a waiver scheme and it is understood Sánchez is "working with his lawyers in an effort to be granted access" to the U.S. (BBC, 7/16).
A CLEAN BREAK?: CRISTIANO RONALDO reportedly "wants to leave behind everything that ties him to Spain." Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã reported the player is hoping that selling his home and all of his property in Spain will "resolve his problems with the Spanish tax authorities." If Ronaldo "wants to completely close the door on Spain," he would have to terminate his real estate business activity, including his hotel. It is "unclear if he is willing to do this" (AS, 7/17).
ITALIAN REUNION?: Spain's Libertad Digital reported former Real Madrid Manager ZINEDINE ZIDANE will join Juventus as an adviser to Sporting Dir FABIO PARATICI in October (MARCA, 7/17).
STAYING TOO LONG: Former Arsenal Manager ARSÈNE WENGER said that he "may have made a mistake in staying at Arsenal for 22 years" and that he turned down the chance to be France's manager "numerous times." Speaking in an interview with RTL, Wenger named his four best signings and confessed that his "darkest sin" was eating pastries every day. He also suggested that he was "wrong to stay so long." When asked what his biggest mistake was, he said, "Perhaps staying at the same club for 22 years. I'm someone who likes to move around a lot, but I also like a challenge. I've been a prisoner of my own challenge at times" (LONDON TIMES, 7/17).
