WAYNE ROONEY's agent agreed to pay a settlement with a group of 16 footballers, "after being accused in a legal action of taking secret payments from a financial advisor." Sources said on Sunday that Rooney's long-serving agent, PAUL STRETFORD, agreed to the payout a few days before a recent High Court hearing. The revelation came after the group of former players, including ROBBIE SAVAGE, DANNY MURPHY, ANDREW COLE, DENIS IRWIN and CRAIG SHORT started proceedings in the High Court to sue financial advisers Formation Asset Management Ltd. over payments to agents (London DAILY MAIL, 12/8). ... JESS VARNISH's sex discrimination case against British Cycling and UK Sport will begin in Manchester on Monday with a preliminary hearing which is set to last a week and which "could have major ramifications for UK Sport." The former track sprinter lost her place on British Cycling’s Olympic program in '16, a few months before the Rio Olympics. Varnish alleged sexism, bullying and discrimination, with her allegations eventually leading to the departure of Technical Dir SHANE SUTTON (London TELEGRAPH, 12/9). ... JOSÉ MOURINHO is "happy" at ManU and fully committed to the club despite rumors of "unrest," his agent, JORGE MENDES, said. Mourinho has "often had to defend his record in the wake of mounting criticism." There has been speculation that the club may look to replace him in the near future (REUTERS, 12/7).
