Tonga's rugby coach Mana Otai is claiming that int'l referees "are picking on his players because they are black."
His comments came "after violence riddled and red and yellow card marred Pacific Nations match between Tonga and Canada in Kingston, Ontario." Canada won 36-27 (FAIRFAX NZ NEWS, 6/10). ... Int'l Judo Federation President Marius Vizer said that "Japan's judo authority needed to shape up because he is aiming to raise the sport's profile in the Olympics with reforms." Vizer said, "The IJF with the All-Japan Judo Federation will do our best to clean up the situation and start with new reforms and new development in Japanese judo" (AFP, 6/10). ... The pressure on National Rugby League salary-cap auditor Ian Schubert "has intensified after it emerged he turned down a request at the start of the season to meet club officials over concerns about the second-tier salary cap."
The matter is set to raise its head Tuesday when Schubert fronts NRL CEO Dave Smith and COO Jim Doyle "to discuss solutions to the growing problem" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 6/11).
