NEYMAR "could face up to six years in prison as courts re-examine his move" from Brasileiro side Santos to Barcelona in '13. Last year, Neymar "was ordered to stand trial by the Spanish court for fraud regarding his transfer" to Barcelona. Spain's national court reportedly decided "at the last minute to refer to the Criminal Chamber in front of three magistrates." The fact that three judges will sit on the case "means sentences can be extended past five years as they are deemed as more serious" (London DAILY MIRROR, 10/31). ... ROGER FEDERER revealed that he was "approached to participate" in an upcoming exhibition match in Saudi Arabia. He said that he needed "only a moment's consideration to dismiss the idea." Federer: "I'm happy doing other things, and I didn't want to play there at that time. So, for me, it was a very quick decision" (London TELEGRAPH, 10/30). ... USAIN BOLT was urged by Jamaican FA President MICHAEL RICKETTS to sign a professional football contract with a Jamaican side in order to "earn a call-up to the national team." Ricketts said, "I am a little disappointed that Usain hasn't signed up with a Jamaican club" (ESPN.com, 10/31). ... KOBE BRYANT has been "keeping busy in retirement," and the former NBA player announced his latest project as "one of the faces" of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Beijing. He will help promote the tournament and will be in China for the 32-team event as a global ambassador alongside YAO MING. Bryant is "still the most followed NBA player on Chinese social media with more than 6.84 million fans (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 10/31). ... Colombian TATIANA CALDERÓN became the first Latin American woman to drive a Formula 1 car in an official capacity "when she took part in a promotional event for the Sauber team in Mexico on Tuesday." The 25-year-old GP3 driver was appointed official test driver for the Swiss team last March after a year in a development role (REUTERS, 10/30). ... Former Sri Lanka cricketer and coach NUWAN ZOYSA was "provisionally suspended with immediate effect on Wednesday" after being charged under the Int'l Cricket Council's anti-corruption code. The ICC said that Zoysa was charged with three counts of breaching the code, including "fixing or contriving" aspects of an int'l match (REUTERS, 10/31).
