Afghan President ASHRAF GHANI on Tuesday called for an investigation into claims of sexual abuse against the national women's football team, calling the allegations "shocking" and vowing to act immediately. The president's call comes days after a report about "allegations of sexual and physical abuse of members of the women's team by male officials," including the president of the country's football federation (AFP, 12/4). ... Liverpool Manager JÜRGEN KLOPP admitted an FA charge of misconduct and accepted an £8,000 ($10,200) fine "for his wild celebrations" on the pitch after Liverpool "secured a dramatic Merseyside derby win" over Everton. Klopp left his technical area and ran onto the pitch where he embraced goalkeeper ALISSON (London DAILY MAIL, 12/4). ... The coaches of South Korea's "Garlic Girls" curling team, who "shot to fame" by winning Olympic Silver in February, resigned Tuesday "after the athletes accused them of verbal abuse and exploitation." The coaches were accused of "trying to run Korean curling like a family fiefdom." Head coach KIM MIN-JUNG's father, former Korean Curling Federation VP KIM KYUNG-DOO, apologized for causing "huge disappointment and concern" to the curlers and the public (AFP, 12/4). ... Indian cricketer GAUTAM GAMBHIR "called time" on his career, "announcing his retirement from all forms of the game" (TIMES OF INDIA, 12/4).
BALLON D'OR: Real Madrid midfielder LUKA MODRIC won the 2018 Ballon d'Or on Monday, breaking CRISTIANO RONALDO's and LIONEL MESSI's "decade-long hold on the prestigious award." Juventus forward and '17 winner Ronaldo came second, while Atlético Madrid and France striker ANTOINE GRIEZMANN was third. Norwegian Olympique Lyonnais striker ADA HEGERBERG won the inaugural Ballon d'Or for women's football (REUTERS, 12/3).
