The Ukrainian football federation said on Thursday that Crimea-based clubs PFC Sevastopol and FC Tavriya "have been cut from this season's Ukrainian Premier League following the annexation of the peninsula by Russia." Four clubs from the eastern part of Ukraine, including champions Shakhtar Donetsk, "must relocate temporarily until the military confrontation with pro-Russian separatists is settled" (REUTERS, 7/3). ... National Rugby League Queensland Cowboys CEO Peter Jourdain has blasted the league, accusing it of "pandering to Sydney clubs over a match schedule that could ruin North Queensland’s season." In their latest stoush with the code’s governors, the Cowboys "claim the final six rounds of scheduling is 'ridiculous' and favours the interests of Sydney-based teams." Jourdain said, "This is a complete slap in the face for our club -- it is totally unfair" (NEWS LIMITED, 7/7). ... Lawyer David Galbally fears the two court cases involving Australian Football League side Essendon "are only going to portray the AFL and Bombers in a worse light, warning he could also take the league to court in Dean Robinson's unfair dismissal case."
As the stakes in the two cases "continue to rise, Galbally, representing the former Essendon fitness coach in his Supreme Court fight, is also open to the possibility of joining Essendon and James Hird's case against the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority in the Federal Court" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 7/6). ... Punters "are set to be able to bet into multimillion-dollar pools on Hong Kong racing when the first national tote pool comes into effect by the end of next year."
The Hong Kong Jockey Club "has set a goal to have one pari-mutuel pool on its meetings and will host Tabcorp and TattsBet punters' win, place, quinella, duet and trifecta bets from as early as September, subject to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission approval" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 7/6).
