Failed journalist and wretched lawyer Dave Donovan announced today that he's leaving his job as Chief Operating Officer of the Redskins to return to the law firm whence he came (and where, ostensibly, lawyers can actually convince clients not to file dumbass lawsuits). Donovan attributes his decision to "personal reasons." Lame. Personal reasons could mean anything. They could mean that Dan Snyder and Donovan disagreed over a legal matter. They could mean that things got weird after a game of adult Twister. Who knows? You may remember Donovan as the man who, in his role as general counsel for the Redskins, sent a silly letter to the New York-based investment firm that manages the parent company of the Washington City Paper. (Translation: he sent a letter to people who are at least two degrees removed from the newsroom of the Washington City Paper but who have all the money.) In the letter, Donovan raised the idea that the image of a be-horned Snyder was anti-Semitic. He also threatened to club the City Paper into submission with Dan Snyder's wallet. From the silly letter: We presume that defending such litigation would not be a rational strategy for an investment fund such as yours. Indeed, the cost of litigation would presumably quickly outstrip the asset value of the Washington City Paper. Also not a rational strategy: suing a New York investment firm that manages the parent company of a DC-based publication. By the time Snyder et al. wised up and had the dumbass libel suit re-filed in DC, the DC Council had passed a law to protect news organizations against lawsuits designed to intimidate journalists from writing about public figures. Now that's some sharp lawyering, Donovan. COO Dave Donovan leaving Redskins [The Washington Post]
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Chelsea triumphed in the competition as recently as 2010, while Spurs have not reached the final since they won in 1991.
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…
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The Guardian reports that club owner Roman Abramovich is believed to have personally intervened to ensure the Zenit St Petersburg playmaker, who shone at Euro 2008, will opt for a move to London over Barcelona or Real Madrid and is preparing a £12m bid.
An unnamed source at Arshavin s club was quoted as saying: Chelsea have been in contact, a deal agreed and Arshavin will fly to London to discuss personal terms.
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The Spanish side sit rock-bottom of La Liga with 12 points from 17 matches, though just three points off the tip of the relegation zone.
The former Tenerife boss guided Deportivo back to the top flight in the 2011-12 season but has struggled to string victories together this campaign, and Augusto Cesar Lendoiro insisted that change is necessary.
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The veteran striker has impressed since returning to the Serie A club at the start of the year, although talk about his future continues after he turned 39 in October.
But Ibrahimovic, who is contracted until the end of the season, said he wanted to continue while he could.
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Marquinhos, meanwhile, posted on social media to confirm Enrico had been born on Friday, describing his birth as a blessing while calling his wife Carol Cabrino a warrior .
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Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura has been appointed as the secretary general of FIFA, becoming the first female to hold the position.
Samoura takes up the position following 21 years working for the United Nations, replacing Jerome Valcke who was sacked in February amid allegations linking him to a scheme that intended to sell tickets for the 2014 World Cup at above their face value.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino believes the Senegalese can help improve the way the organisation operates and support its strive towards greater transparency.
Fatma is a woman with international experience and vision who has worked on some of the most challenging issues of our time, said Infantino during the 66th FIFA Congress in Mexico City.
She has a proven ability to build and…
France captain Wendie Renard is willing to return to international football after participating in a player revolt which led to the sacking of head coach Corinne Diacre.
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Diacre subsequently accused her detractors of participating in a destabilisation operation , but the French Football Federation (FFF) removed her from her post following a meeting of its executive committee.
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Odds: 7/10 @
Looking to claim back-to-back Championship victories on Saturday afternoon, Watford will welcome Wigan to Vicarage Road.
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