A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers Owner PAUL LEDERER was elected chair of the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association, the representative body of A-League clubs. Lederer takes over from GREG GRIFFIN, the former owner of Adelaide United who sold his share in the club earlier this year. CHRIS FONG, a director of Brisbane Roar and an adviser to the club's "controversial" owner the Bakrie Group, was installed as deputy chair of APFCA (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 11/26). ... Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) President SHEIKH AHMAD AL-FAHAD AL-SABAH stepped aside from his role “amid an ongoing legal case” in Switzerland. He decided to “temporarily suspend himself from his role and responsibilities within … ANOC,” a decision that will take effect from Wednesday. He previously stepped aside from his roles as an IOC member and head of Olympic Solidarity (REUTERS, 11/26).
COACHES/MANAGERS: JOE SCHMIDT will "stand down" as Ireland's head coach after the 2019 Rugby World Cup and will be replaced by current defense coach ANDY FARRELL. Schmidt, 53, said that he "decided to finish coaching and focus on family commitments." He has been with Ireland since '13 and this year guided the side to its third Grand Slam and a first victory on home soil over New Zealand. Schmidt: "I feel that Irish rugby is in good hands" (BBC, 11/26). While many expected Schmidt to step down, "his decision to apparently step away from coaching altogether was a major surprise, with many having pegged Schmidt as the next All Blacks coach" (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 11/26). ... Ligue 2 side Sochaux hired OMAR DAF as manager to replace JOSÉ MANUEL AIRA, who was fired on Sunday. Daf, 41, has been the club’s reserve team coach since ’17 (Sochaux). ... French Pro A basketball side Limoges CSP hired FRANÇOIS PERONNET as head coach, replacing KYLE MILLING. Peronnet had been Milling’s assistant since the start of the ’17-18 season (Limoges CSP).
