Former Chelsea striker DIDIER DROGBA confirmed his retirement from playing, ending "an amazing 20 years." The Ivory Coast int'l, 40, had two spells at Chelsea, scoring 164 goals in 381 games and winning four Premier League titles as well as the '12 Champions League. Drogba spent the last 18 months of his career with United Soccer League Championship side Phoenix Rising, which he co-owns (BBC, 11/21). ... ESTEBAN OCON will assume a reserve driver role for Mercedes Formula 1 next season, Team Principal TOTO WOLFF said on Friday. Ocon is set to be replaced at Force India F1 by LANCE STROLL, whose billionaire father, LAWRENCE, led a takeover of the team in August. SERGIO PÉREZ was also confirmed at Force India (REUTERS, 11/23). ... Two National Rugby League side Parramatta Eels players who were drinking with JARRYD HAYNE hours after he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman "are set to be interviewed" by police. Detectives investigating allegations Hayne attacked a 26-year-old in her Hunter Region home on grand final night "have also seized CCTV" from Merrylands Bowling Club from Oct. 1. Hayne was reportedly spotted drinking with former Eels teammates BRAD TAKAIRANGI and KAYSA PRITCHARD at 3am at the western Sydney premises (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 11/23). ... NRL side Brisbane Broncos coach WAYNE BENNETT "slammed suggestions he is trying to get sacked" by the club to pocket a A$2M ($1.5M) payday in '19. Bennett’s "rollercoaster ride at the Broncos took another turn on Saturday after a crisis meeting" with Chair KARL MORRIS "determined he would remain in Brisbane next year" (Brisbane COURIER-MAIL, 11/25).
