Premiership rugby referees "have promised to act more decisively this season in a bid to
reduce the delays caused by television match officials poring over
endless replays." TMO referrals "will still be part of the game but
referees will be encouraged to rely more on their own judgment rather
than passing the buck." Top officials such as England’s Wayne Barnes still believe that "the
technology is useful but there is general agreement that decisions need
to be reached quicker" (London GUARDIAN, 9/3). ... The Board of Control for Cricket in India is likely to approach the Registrar of
Societies seeking a three-month extension for convening its annual general meeting, "in a move apparently aimed at facilitating ousted
chief N. Srinivasan’s bid to recontest the presidential post in the
election which otherwise is generally held in September-end" (IANS, 9/4). ... The National Rugby League "is poised to announce the
identity of the Wests Tigers’ three independent directors," paving
the way for the club to make a decision on the future of coach Mick
Potter next week. The three independents "will join what is effectively a five-man
board that will also include two directors from the Wests side of the
joint venture" -- Wests Ashfield CEO Simon Cook and board
member Tony Andreacchio (THE AUSTRALIAN, 9/5).
FIGHTING CRIME: Racing
New South Wales CEO Peter V'landys said that "other states will follow after
he signed a memorandum of understanding with the Australian Crime
Commission on Thursday." The
agreement "mirrored one signed by Victoria's racing integrity
commissioner Sal Perna last November, but it is the first time a racing
regulatory body has joined forces with the ACC." It means Racing NSW "will
be able to deal directly with the ACC, sharing intelligence" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 9/4). ... Australian Football League side Collingwood "is likely to part ways with premiership player Heritier
Lumumba after he criticised the club for not acting on what he felt was a
homophobic slur and after a series of intense discussions in recent
weeks broke down." Lumumba "recently challenged Collingwood over a
graffitied advertising poster in the players' rooms, of Scott Pendlebury
and Dayne Beams, that he said was homophobic and should not have been
tolerated by the club" (THE AGE, 9/4).
