ManU Manager JOSÉ MOURINHO will "face no further action on charges of using abusive language" following his club's EPL win over Newcastle United in October, the FA said on Monday. An independent regulatory commission cleared Mourinho of the charge on Oct. 31 and the FA, which appealed against that decision last month, confirmed on Monday it was "upheld and the matter was now closed" (REUTERS, 12/17). ... FERNANDO ALONSO looks set to "maintain a close relationship" with McLaren despite calling an end to his Formula 1 career. All corners of the McLaren garage are "eager to tap into his wealth of knowledge and experience" to help develop the '19 car (PLANET F1, 12/17). ... Former World No. 4 SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN was named captain of France's Davis Cup team for the next two seasons. Grosjean was part of the French team that beat Australia to win the Davis Cup in '01. He replaces YANNICK NOAH (BBC, 12/17). ... Premier League side Burnley Vice-Chair BARRY KILBY, who surrendered his post as chair of the club in '12 to fight prostate cancer, wrote a novel to help prevent more men from dying from the disease (Burnley). ... Striker ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC will remain with Major League Soccer side L.A. Galaxy for another season. The Swede, 37, joined the club in March (BBC, 12/17). ... Tour de France winner GERAINT THOMAS was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2018. The Team Sky rider, 32, is the third Briton to win the race, after BRADLEY WIGGINS and CHRIS FROOME. Formula 1 champion LEWIS HAMILTON finished second, while footballer HARRY KANE was third (BBC).
