The Int'l Equestrian Federation is "under pressure" to strip Sheikh Mohammed’s Dubai Int'l Endurance City of the '16 world championship event, "as the horse welfare crisis in the United Arab Emirates sport escalates." The FEI and Emirates Equestrian Federation halted all UAE long-distance race-rides last Wednesday until at least Feb. 11 "while further solutions were sought." The "flogging of five exhausted horses by riders and their grooms" during a 120km youth ride at Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on Jan. 30 was witnessed by "thousands of horrified viewers on the event’s live-stream." The American Endurance Ride Conference -- pioneers of the "classic" sport since 1972 -- "is demanding that the FEI relocate" the '16 world title event, and imposes a new, minimum one-year suspension on the EEF (London TELEGRAPH, 2/7). ... The Australian Football League "has approved a lifeline for recruiter Paul Brodie, who is under a 13-month suspension for betting on the code." The league "will allow his request to join player agency Stride Sports Management as a football consultant, with the aim of recruiting teenage talent." AFL General Counsel Andrew Dillon on Sunday said that Brodie "was free to pursue employment outside of the AFL and its clubs." Dillon: "He was suspended from acting as an AFL official. So he’s not in breach of the terms of his suspension" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/9). ... Saturday's National Rugby League All Stars match "could be the last in its current format with the fixture in jeopardy, while the National Youth Competition may end as soon as this year." The contract to play the All Stars game expires after Saturday and "despite the match being played in six of the past seven years, its place on the rugby league calendar is under review" by NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg. While Greenberg said that the game "remained an important part of the season, its format could change after Saturday's match at Suncorp Stadium" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 2/7). ... Scottish Premiership side Motherwell was found guilty of breaching Scottish Professional Football League rules on "unacceptable conduct by supporters" during last season's playoff against Rangers. Following an investigation, the league body "identified multiple failures by the club in dealing with supporters during and after the match," where police were forced to intervene after home fans invaded the pitch following Motherwell's 6-1 aggregate victory over the Ibrox side (STV, 2/8).
