Former England football int'l PAUL GASCOIGNE issued an "emotional denial" on social media after it emerged he was "charged with sexually assaulting a woman on a train." The 51-year-old was arrested at Durham Station on Aug. 20 and charged "with one count of sexual assault by touching, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003" (London GUARDIAN, 11/19). ... DANIEL STURRIDGE will be available to play for Liverpool this weekend "should the investigation into his alleged breach of betting rules drag on beyond the international break." The 29-year-old striker "denied ever gambling on football upon the announcement of the charge" and has until 6pm on Tuesday to submit an official response (London INDEPENDENT, 11/19). ... NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL met with officials from Mexico's Tourism Department to "address the league's relationship with Mexico." Goodell "is looking to maintain the relationship and ongoing contract with Estadio Azteca until '21" (LA AFICIÓN, 11/19). ... La Liga President JAVIER TEBAS' book, "Football is not like that," is being converted into a TV series produced by Mediapro and whose rights were acquired by DirecTV in Latin America and Movistar+ in Spain. The fiction novel features "a fight for power taking place in the world of football" (PALCO23, 11/19). ... All Blacks coach STEVE HANSEN said that he will make an announcement about his future with the team by Dec. 25. Speculation about who should coach the All Blacks after the 2019 World Cup has "escalated" since Ireland beat the world champions 16-9 in Dublin on Sunday (STUFF, 11/19). ... National Rugby League player JARRYD HAYNE was charged over an alleged sexual assault of a young woman on grand final night in September. Hayne, who is currently out of contract, "handed himself in to Sex Crime Squad detectives" at Ryde police station in Sydney. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail (THE AUSTRALIAN, 11/20).
