Cricket Australia will "join forces" with England, South Africa and New Zealand in "another bid to lobby the International Cricket Council for the introduction of substitutes in first-class games." After failing last year to convince the game's governing body to "amend playing conditions to allow concussion subs," CA will make another submission after the completion of its domestic season -- this time with the "official backing" of other Test-playing countries (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 2/14).
Anthony McCoy "backed a move" by the governing body of French racing to attempt to "provide greater opportunities for female jockeys" by giving them a 4lb allowance over their male rivals. McCoy, the 20-time champion jump jockey, "intimated that he would also support such an initiative in Britain" where, as with France, about 100 out of 600 professional riders are women (LONDON TIMES, 2/14).
Gaelic Athletic Association officials "outlined plans to revoke the season tickets of those who have been found to have abused the system at venues around the country." As part of the season ticket scheme, holders who attend 60% of League and Championship matches are entitled to All-Ireland final tickets if their county is involved. But "clocking up" that 60% has, in some cases, "led to sharp practice," with strangers being given tickets on the way into grounds (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 2/14).
The chair and vice-chair of Sport Wales have been suspended after a "review into the board's actions." The activities of the board were suspended in November pending an "assurance review." Tuesday, Minister for Social Services & Public Health Rebecca Evans told the Senedd that she will suspend Chair Paul Thomas and vice-Chair Adele Baumgardt but reinstate the rest of the board (WALES ONLINE, 2/14).
McLaren Racing Dir Eric Boullier suggested Formula 1 "should consider bringing back active suspension." The technology has been banned since the start of the '94 season but was one of "various ideas" proposed at a meeting of technical directors and the FIA last week. F1 teams have failed to reach an agreement on the "legality of trick suspension systems," with a ruling expected from the FIA before the end of the month (MOTORSPORT, 2/14).
Pakistan's investigation into spot-fixing in cricket has spread to Britain with the arrest of two men "on suspicion of bribery offenses." The London-based National Crime Agency announced that the unnamed men in their thirties were held on Monday "as part of an ongoing investigation into international cricket match spot-fixing." The arrests come after three players were suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board as part of its investigation into corruption in the Pakistan Super League (AP, 2/14).
