The Professional Rugby League Match Officials on Wednesday notified the National Rugby League that it will "ballot its members to seek their approval for industrial action." It is the first time in the history of the game that referees have "taken the landmark step," the result of "frustrations in negotiating a new enterprise bargaining agreement." The NRL is opposing the application, with the matter to be decided at a Fair Work Commission hearing on Thursday (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 9/5).
Helmut Marko said that he will leave Red Bull F1 if the partnership with Honda fails.GETTY IMAGES
Red Bull Formula 1 Dir Helmut Marko issued another threat to quit, this time if the Red Bull-Honda partnership "does not work out." Marko said, "We are pleased with the great cooperation with Honda for the coming years, and if this cooperation, for whatever reason, does not work as expected, then Red Bull will leave Formula 1" (PLANET F1, 9/4).
Premiership Rugby side Leicester Tigers' decision to fire Manager Matt O'Connor one match into the season was described as "grossly unfair" and part of "a disturbing trend" by the coaches' union. Whoever replaces O'Connor will be Leicester's fourth permanent director of rugby or coach in less than two years (London GUARDIAN, 9/4).
Pakistan Cricket Board Chair Ehsan Mani said that he will "continue to push his country's case" at the Int'l Cricket Council dispute committee over India pulling out of two bilateral series. Mani said, "Their (Indian) policy has been overall contradicting, because they are always ready to play in multinational tournaments like Asia Cup and World Cup but pulls out on bilateral arrangements" (AP, 9/5).
After the Mexican Baseball League (LMB) this year experimented with a schedule featuring two tournaments, club presidents decided to return to the traditional schedule for '19. The calendar will "have one notable modification," as there will be two rest days -- Monday and Tuesday -- and a new format to qualify for the playoffs (LA AFICIÓN, 9/4).
