Rogge leaves IOC in sturdy shape

TWELVE years after taking over with the IOC still recovering from its worst ethics scandal, Jacques Rogge is leaving with the Olympic body in much sturdier shape but with serious challenges ahead.

The 71-year-old Belgian steps down as president next Tuesday after steering the International Olympic Committee through a period of relative stability that spanned three Summer Olympics and three Winter Games.

Rogge, an orthopaedic surgeon who competed in three Olympics in sailing, is completing his term with a reputation for bringing a calm and steady hand to the often turbulent world of Olympic politics.

He took a hard line against doping and ethics violations, created the Youth Olympics, oversaw a growth in IOC finances during a time of global economic crisis and made peace with the US Olympic Committee after years of bitter squabbling over revenues.

Under Rogge's watch, the IOC has also taken the Olympics to new places - including awarding the 2016 event to Rio de Janeiro for the first games in South America.

"I hope that people, with time, will consider that I did a good job for the IOC," Rogge told The Associated Press. "That's what you legitimately want to be remembered for."

IOC members meeting in Buenos Aires over the next week will elect Rogge's successor in a secret ballot on September 10, with six candidates in the running. The new president will face tough issues ahead, including the backlash over anti-gay legislation in Russia ahead of February's Winter Games in Sochi and concern over construction delays in Rio.

Rogge was elected the IOC's eighth president in Moscow in 2001, succeeding Juan Antonio Samaranch - a Spaniard who ran the committee with an authoritarian style for 21 years. Rogge took office in the wake of the Salt Lake City scandal, in which 10 IOC members resigned or were expelled for receiving scholarships, payments and gifts during its winning bid for the 2002 Winter Games.

Rogge broke with the tainted and elitist image of the IOC, choosing to stay in the athletes village as much as possible during the six games that he oversaw during his presidency.

"He was absolutely the right person at the right time," senior Norwegian IOC member Gerhard Heiberg said. "We had a lot of turmoil. We had to get out of that. We had to get another image. He has brought stability to the organisation."

Rogge's measured leadership style was in sharp contrast with Samaranch. While the former Spanish diplomat worked behind the scenes and twisted arms to get what he wanted, Rogge pursued a more democratic, collegial and management-oriented approach.

Some critics called Rogge dull and wooden, but he liked to describe himself as a "sober" and level-headed leader in keeping with his medical background.

After serving an initial eight-year term, Rogge was re-elected unopposed in 2009 to a second and final four-year mandate.

"I received an IOC in good shape from Samaranch," Rogge said. "And I believe I will leave an IOC in good shape to my successor."

But Rogge will leave his successor with two potentially difficult games ahead.

Apart from security worries and cost overruns, the build-up to the February 7-23 Sochi Games has been dominated by an international outcry over a new Russian law banning so-called gay propaganda. Rogge and the IOC have been criticised for not doing enough to fight the legislation.

Construction delays and other organisational setbacks, meanwhile, are raising concerns that Rio could be another Athens.

"We're working hard together with both organisers and any potential shortcoming has been addressed, so I expect both games to be good ones," Rogge said. "I think Sochi will be absolutely OK because the Russians love sport, they know sport, there is no limitation in their desire to perform well.

"For Rio, I am quite sure and quite confident they will be very good games also. We will benefit from the experience of the (2014) World Cup."

Human rights groups and other outside critics have accused Rogge and the IOC of failing to speak out against abuses in host countries like China, Russia and Brazil. Rogge espouses "quiet diplomacy" and says the IOC is a sports organisation, not a government or political body.

Looking back, Rogge cites the achievements of Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps as Olympic highlights - even though he criticised the Jamaican sprinter for showboating in Beijing and questioned whether he was a "living legend" in London.

As for the low point of his presidency, Rogge has no hesitation.

"On the dark side, it is the death of Nodar Kumaritashvili that I will never forget," he said.

The Georgian luger died after a high-speed crash in a training run in Whistler just hours before the opening ceremony in Vancouver. Rogge recalls being notified that Kumaritashvili was in a hospital on life support. He gathered a crisis meeting of Olympic leaders at a hotel.

"We wanted to get more news and unfortunately after five minutes we heard that the athlete had passed away," he said.

One of Rogge's biggest priorities was trying to control the size and scale of the Olympics. He instituted a cap of 10,500 athletes and 28 sports for the summer games.

"On one hand we have to make sure we contain the size, on the other hand we have to help the organising cities by lowering the demands and the service levels," Rogge said.

Rogge struggled with the thorny issue of the Olympic sports program - which sports to drop and which to bring in. While softball and baseball were kicked out after 2008 and golf and rugby added starting in 2016, the system for 2020 has been messy. Wrestling was surprisingly dropped in February, but now looks set to be put back for 2020, meaning no new sport will be included as originally intended.

While Samaranch and the IOC were criticised for what was seen as laxness on performance-enhancing drugs, Rogge pursued a "zero tolerance" policy on doping. He doubled the number of tests at the Olympics to 5000, implemented rigorous pre-games and out-of-competition checks, retested samples from previous games to catch cheaters retroactively and championed the biological passport for monitoring an athlete's blood profile.

"We really stepped up the fight," Rogge said. "I think it is far more difficult to get doped today than it used to be a couple of years ago. Today the Lance Armstrong case could not occur because the sensitivity for the EPO testing is far higher than it used to be back in 2005."

Rogge also set up a system to monitor betting patterns during the Olympics, suspended or forced out members implicated in ethics violations and held firm to the post-Salt Lake City ban on member visits to bid cities.

He also spoke out against the rise in youth obesity and staked his legacy on the creation of the Youth Games, an event for athletes aged 15-18 which debuted with the summer edition in Singapore in 2010.

The IOC's coffers also strengthened under Rogge's tenure, with revenues from top-tier global sponsors going from $663 million in 2001-04 to nearly $1 billion for the four-year cycle through London. Television rights deals raised billions, including a record $4.38 billion deal with NBC through 2020.

The IOC's financial reserves, designed to allow the organisation to continue operating for four years in the event of an Olympics being cancelled, have risen from $100 million to $900 million over the past 10 years.

Perhaps Rogge's most significant financial achievement was the signing of a long-term revenue-sharing deal with the US Olympic Committee in 2012, amid tensions that dated back to 1996.

Rogge's health has declined in recent months. He had hip replacement surgery in September 2012 and has looked much older and slower - a far cry from the youthful, vigorous man who came to power 12 years ago.

Yet Rogge has continued to circle the globe on IOC business and kept his hand on day-to-day issues.

"My agenda will be full until the very last day," he said.

Rogge is looking forward to returning to Ghent in Belgium and spending time with his family - wife Anne, two adult children and grandchildren. He's got a pile of books to read and a list of art galleries to visit.

Even though he could stay as an IOC member for 10 more years, Rogge is resigning to become an honorary member.

"I don't think it would be sound for the IOC to have the past president running around the session having a vote to cast, giving his opinion," he said.

Rogge will continue attending the Olympics, able to appreciate the action from a new perspective.

Rogge has no plans to write his memoirs, preferring to update the archives for the Olympic Museum.

"I note everything every day on my little white papers, so I have a pretty impressive collection, a lot of material that is very interesting that people don't know about," he said.

Then, with a laugh, Rogge adds: "And some material that people better not know about."

23.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Inside the meeting that saved Souths

George Piggins at his South Coogee home. Source: News Limited

IT was the hour-long meeting between a rugby league legend and a senior Rupert Murdoch executive that kick-started South Sydney's ­extraordinary return to top-flight rugby league.

Here, for the first time, The Daily Telegraph can reveal details of a high-powered meeting between then News Ltd chief executive and chairman John Hartigan and former Rabbitohs chairman George Piggins.

At the time, Souths had been excluded from the premiership by News, a 50 per cent owner of the NRL.

But at the urging of ex-Rabbitohs media manager and passionate Souths man, Norm Lipson, Hartigan ventured to Piggins' South Coogee home in early 2001 to discuss the possibility of a shock Rabbitohs return.

It was a meeting where trust was born between warring parties.

Hartigan, Piggins and Lipson ate biscuits and drank tea made by Piggins' wife, Noelene.

Lipson said he "broke the ice'', saying: "There's no animosity here, we are here to clear the air and work something out for South Sydney.'' Yesterday, Hartigan recalled the importance of the meeting as Souths, 12 years on, play for the minor premiership tonight.

"At some point, logic had to take over from litigious lawyers at 10 paces,'' said Hartigan, who was appointed to News's top position after the decision was made to axe Souths.

"To rub out a foundation club requires more than mathematics about revenue. People power is an amazing beast. When it's your footy club, everyone feels passionate. When it's South Sydney it is very different.''

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Souths had enjoyed some court success for readmission but News could have continued to fight through the High Court.

Hartigan immediately saw the passion in Piggins' eyes. And the decision was soon made — bring back the Rabbitohs.

"Norm rang me and asked would I be prepared to meet with George,'' Hartigan said.

"I said I most certainly would and, if there was anyway through this, we will do whatever is necessary.

"Norm asked whether George would come into News Ltd, I said no and that I would be prepared to meet him on his own territory.

"I was even prepared to go into the heart of his territory at the Cauliflower Hotel (in Waterloo).

"But the meeting turned out instead to be at George's home with lovely Noelene making biscuits and tea.

"The negotiations up until that stage had been done through lawyers and all of a sudden you look eyeball-to-eyeball with a person who had such a high level of conviction.

"We walked away recognising that we had to do something to get Souths back playing football. Compromise was something both parties brought to the table.''

Piggins on Thursday recounted the meeting.

"We just spoke — John was there to see if there was any ground he could take and I was convincing the other way,'' Piggins said.

"We got on quite well. I like to deal with people who are upfront. Plenty weren't, but John was upfront. John wanted to know if we could handle it if we came back and we proved we can.''

Souths returned to the NRL in 2002. Now, finally, a premiership beckons.

"The interesting thing about the meeting was the mood of conciliation from George and News — an air of compromise,'' Hartigan said.

"We wanted to look at a range of options that might allow each party to get on with their business. They ­varied from such things as a merger with Cronulla.

"I hadn't met George before. No-one had ever doubted his conviction but I walked away recognising that level and for both parties trying to do everything we could to get Souths back on the paddock. There was a level of goodwill and trust.''

Hartigan now sits back and watches South Sydney's success with pride and delight.

"I couldn't be more delighted seeing Souths in such dominant form,'' he said.

"It's not rocket science. When you have Souths firing, you have yourselves one hell of a competition.

"Having guys like Greg Inglis running around in a Rabbioths jersey, I think it fires up everyone.''

After the meeting, Hartigan and Piggins shook hands warmly.

"And when Souths was reinstalled I rang George to congratulate him,'' Hartigan said.

23.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Is it time to split coaching roles?

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

DARREN Lehmann is doing his best to make sure his key troops are rested and revitalised for the home Ashes series, but what about the man himself?

Australia play England in the first of a five-match one-day series at Leeds tonight and Lehmann's rival national coach will not be Andy Flower, the man he confronted in the Ashes.

England's short-form sides are coached by former Test spinner and national selector Ashley Giles.

It's a ground-breaking system but it works well. Both men stay fresh. They swap ideas. There is no insecurity of tenure for either because they respect and trust each other.

They are different types of men but they try to keep their messages similar and the sum of one plus one often seems greater than two.

Australia sends its main man out as a lone wolf. Round and round he goes until he limps home after eight or nine months a year on the road.

Several men who have done the Australian job took years to recover from the strain of it when their terms were done.

The pay is good (around $500,000 a year), the rewards are potentially great but so is the commitment level.

When Lehmann arrives home from England he will barely have time to unpack his gear before heading off on a seven-match 50-over tour of India. When that is over he will step into the blazing cauldron of an Ashes summer.

Lehmann, as a father of twins who are midway through primary school in Brisbane, is already aware of the emotional challenges of the job. Several of Lehmann's mates thought he might never accept the Australian job because of his family duties.

Australia loathe copying England in any cricket matter but the split coaches is one area where the Poms have been shrewd.

If Australia feel Lehmann is the man they want long-term — and they want him to stay as fresh and focused as possible — then they too should look at splitting the roles, or, at the very least giving him some tours off.

One bonus of splitting the jobs is it allows the head man to gain fresh perspective by getting out of the team bubble and viewing the side like the man in the stand.

Lehmann, as we saw during the Ashes series when he listened to Test match commentary on headphones, is a man open to all ideas.

He is just as likely to come up with a fresh idea at a barbecue at Jim Maher's place in Brisbane or speaking to Adam Gilchrist over a beer as he is from being at a team hotel on tour.

Few players have better global contacts.

The other positive thing about splitting the jobs is it gives Australia some sort of succession plan and provides a pathway for emerging coaches.

The haphazard way Lehmann was hauled in to replace Mickey Arthur in England spotlighted the shallowness of the alternatives and the lack of planning in this area.

Lehmann was about to head off to northern England to visit his in laws when he was offered the job which he hastily accepted.

The options for a back-up coach are not substantial but the pool is far from empty. Tom Moody, Matt Mott, Stuart Law, Jason Gillespie, Justin Langer and Trevor Bayliss are all respected and experienced.

Any of them would be up to the job of being the No.2 coach to the man Australia cannot afford to be burnt out before his time.

23.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

NRL cracks down on Mad Monday

Bulldogs players during 2012 Mad Monday celebrations. Source: Craig Greenhill / News Limited

EVERY NRL player and official is on notice to behave during their clubs' traditional Mad Monday celebrations this season.

As the top eight clubs switch their focus to the finals race, this weekend also signals the end of the 2013 season for the likes of St George Illawarra, Penrith, Canberra, Parramatta and the Wests Tigers.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

After the battering the game received following the Canterbury Bulldogs' end-of-season embarrassment last year, NRL Integrity Unit chief operating officer Jim Doyle has moved to ensure this year's Mad Monday is void of a similar scandal.

The Bulldogs erased the gloss off their stellar season due to a foul-mouthed rant against a female TV reporter.

In an email sent to all 16 NRL club chief executives, Doyle strongly reminded every club and their players they must adhere to the NRL's strict code of conduct, while also warning of the use of social media, including Twitter and Facebook.

"As we are all no doubt aware, there have been various issues over the years with respect to incidents occurring out of 'Mad Monday' celebrations that have had a negative impact on our brand and reputation," Doyle wrote.

"We are mindful that this weekend marks the time of the year when some NRL and NYC teams will be concluding their seasons, with some of course, playing and finishing in the weeks ahead for those who have qualified for semi-finals.

"Please ensure all players and staff are fully aware of the NRL's expectations and the absolute requirement to adhere to our code of conduct. Please also remind your players of the risks associated with social media.

"I look forward to your cooperation and support in making these events a fun, socially acceptable and responsible end of season celebration."

The NRL has a long history of Mad Monday disgraces, ranging from the serious (Robert Lui assaulting his then pregnant girlfriend) to the disgusting (Joel Monaghan's lewd act with a teammate's dog).

Doyle's warning has already taken effect at the Wests Tigers, with chief executive Grant Mayer printing a copy of the email for every player and official set to attend Mad Monday.

Mayer also confirmed Tigers players would be accompanied by a police officer, hired by the club, to ensure both the welfare of the players and public were protected.

"We take it seriously, I know exactly what they're doing and where they're going," Mayer said.

"Sure, it's a day for the players to enjoy after a long, tough season, but they certainly will all be reminded about their responsibilities as players of our club and our game.

"We will have an officer with the players throughout the entire day. It's a safeguard measure which is as much about the players enjoying themselves as it is ensuring that we don't have any issues."

And if the NRL needed a reminder of just quickly things can go wrong, they got it from the AFL last Monday when St Kilda's Clinton Jones went one step too far by setting alight a dwarf entertainer.

Following an Integrity Unit investigation into the Bulldogs' behaviour during last year's hijinx, Canterbury players agreed to pay most of the $30,000 NRL-imposed "donation" to a charity.

In a recent interview, new Canterbury CEO Raelene Castle said she had no intention of cancelling this year's Mad Monday once the Dogs bow out of the finals race.

"I'd be a brave girl to come in here and say we're not having a Mad Monday," Castle said.

"We've already had conversations about it, we're making plans to ensure the players tick the boxes and the media get what they need, because that's important.

"I absolutely believe, in the same way I'm allowed to have a beer and to celebrate, so should they. But we need to make sure we're in a safe environment to do that." 

23.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Video refs to explain decision

Video referee Steve Clark. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

THE NRL will revolutionise rugby league forever on Friday with under-pressure video referees to publicly explain their decisions to millions of Channel Nine viewers.

The Daily Telegraph can exclusively reveal that video refs will be called upon to explain each contentious decision to television fans for the next two NRL rounds and then throughout the finals series. 

After a decision is reached, Nine viewers will then hear audio from the video refs revealing why the decision was made and which rules were employed. 

Play will not be stopped, the video ref's explanation running for between five to ten seconds.

If the system is successful over the final two rounds, the NRL will look to play the video ref's audio through the public address system at every NRL ground for fans attending games. 

Channel Nine and Fox Sports, the game's two broadcasters, have approved the plan.

Nine and Fox Sports commentators will discuss the controversial try, as usual, before then handing over to the video referee.

The senior of the two video referees will make the announcement.

"We are looking at ways of expanding the communication process around video referee decisions," said NRL head of football Todd Greenberg. 

"We hope to achieve a greater level of transparency for the fans in relation to decisions made by the video referee.

"It's important to point out that it won't mean that everyone will agree with decisions that are made, but they may at least understand the basis for the decision that was made. 

"This will be in place for all matches in round 25 and if it's well received, we will consider other opportunities to also feed audio into our stadiums for the members and fans during the finals series. 

"It's important rugby league continues to be innovative and progressive and this continues with our overarching vision to be regarded as a sport that is both entertaining and engaging at all levels." 

Video referees have been under fire over the past two years.

They were involved in a number of blunders last season, culminating in the sacking of NRL referee co-coaches Bill Harrigan and Stuart Raper. 

Their decisions may not improve but at least the public will be aware of the reasons behind each verdict.

Friday's game at Allianz Stadium between Wests Tigers and South Sydney will be the first time viewers hear from the video referee. 

"It sounds like a great innovation," said NSW State of Origin coach Laurie Daley.

"The fans have always wanted to know why decisions are made from the video referee's box and now they will.

"It is all about the game being transparent.

"It will be great the viewers – they will be involved in the game and the video ref's will probably be more understood too."

An on-line Daily Telegraph poll, which attracted more than 10,000 respondents,- actually gave the NRL video referees some support. 

Asked what was worse - the NRL video referee or cricket's DRS – only 20 percent voted for the rugby league version.

Cricket's DRS attracted nearly 36 percent of the vote.

Fans have not exactly given new Referee's Coach Daniel Anderson a strong endorsement.

Nearly 38 percent admitted the standard of refereeing had gone down since Anderson took over this year.

23.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brooks could have saved Benji

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

BENJI Marshall should have stayed with the West Tigers.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

He has made a mistake moving to rugby union and that became clear to me watching the Tigers beat the Dragons at the SCG last Saturday. 

The Tigers, at long last, have found a halfback who will fill the huge hole that Scotty Prince left when he went to the Gold Coast all those years ago. 

Last Saturday, young Luke Brooks controlled the game, took responsibility for the result and simply let Benji be Benji.

It was Marshall's best game for 18 months.

I've always been a Benji Marshall fan and have monitored his career closely.

I was lucky enough in 2005 to be asked by then Tigers coach Tim Sheens to come on board as a kicking coach in the weeks leading up to the grand final and what a pleasure it was to watch this young exciting team at close range. 

They played with so much confidence.

Benji was the star, he had a charisma about him, a healthy arrogance and his halfback was the much respected Prince.

In those few weeks I learnt a lot about both men.

Benji was as difficult to tie down at training as he was during a game. 

You'd set up a kicking drill, Benji would involve himself for a few minutes and then he'd be off down the other end of the field joking with the forwards, or practising his footwork or one of his many tricks or flicks. 

Prince was much more stable and focused. 

He would practice his kicks over and over. 

Kicks from 10m out, putting the ball in the in-goal, kicks from 20m, 30m out and long kicks, landing the ball in the corner of the field. 

Benji was the maverick. Prince was the general.

In that 2005 grand final win, the highlight reel moment will always be Benji's miraculous flick pass for Pat Richards to score ... unforgettable. 

What's much easier to forget is the man who constantly kicked with quality, keeping balls in the opposition in-goals, long kicks into space. 

The man who put his forwards one on one with defenders and who talked his team around the park and to victory ... Scott Prince. 

When Prince left 12 months later to join the Gold Coast, Tim Sheens turned the team over to Benji Marshall, it was time for Benji to go from maverick to general. 

He has never quite been able to do it. 

Sheens put in a number of halfbacks over the years, but none were able to do what Prince could do and that was take responsibility of the team, take responsibility for the result and let Benji be Benji. 

So Sheens even threw Benji the halfback jersey. 

He never looked completely comfortable.

The transition from being a 'flair' player to team leader is one that very few can make.

For Benji to go from being a player who prowled around the field picking and choosing moments to impose his brilliance, to being a player who talked the team into position, set up plays for others and controls what happens on last tackles, is a monumental shift in mindset, bigger than people think. 

When Brad Fittler played alongside Greg Alexander at Penrith, Alexander took responsibility for the team while Fittler side-stepped his way through defences with carefree abandon. 

Freddy would play with a rare confidence and a youthful smile.

Fittler's move to the Roosters in 1996 was successful but none-the-less very difficult. 

Freddy was now team general and the winning and losing sat on his shoulders. 

Playing against Fittler I saw how that weighed on him. 

At times he struggled for form, the burden too much.

It took him a long time to really make that transition.

When the Roosters finally won the grand final in 2002, Freddy talked about the enormous weight being lifted off his shoulders.

In the past two seasons that same weight has eroded Benji's confidence.

Benji has not become a bad player, he is simply unable to be the player the Tigers needed him to be.

Last week, Luke Brooks took the team from Benji and the weight was lifted. 

The more confident Brooks got, the more the old Benji returned. 

Brooks the general and Benji the maverick.

What a shame a salary cap technicality won't allow Luke Brooks to take his place alongside Marshall on Friday night.

And what a shame Benji won't be around next year to play alongside a young man who was about to allow him to return to peak powers.

23.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Penrith paid for Earl's injections

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

THE Penrith Panthers have admitted paying $1160 for Sandor Earl to be injected with supplements in 2011 as the NRL's drugs-in-sport investigation claimed its first major scalp.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

But Panthers Group boss Warren Wilson was on Thursday night adamant the club was unaware Earl's medical bills related to banned peptide CJC-1295 and said the NRL star had gone off-site without Penrith's consent.

In a watershed day that could blow the Australian Anti-Doping Authority's seven-month investigation into rugby league wide open, the NRL hit Earl with a provisional suspension relating to the use and trafficking of CJC-1295.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

News Corp can reveal that a Sydney doctor with a direct link to sports scientist Stephen Dank injected Earl 12 times during 2011 and billed the Penrith Panthers Group $1160.

Penrith Panthers Group boss Wilson confirmed Earl visited doctor Ijaz Khan's Injury Care clinic in Cabramatta after suffering a shoulder injury when contracted to the Panthers in 2011.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"When we first heard about it (in June), we looked for invoices under the doctor's name but couldn't find any," Wilson said.

"Then we Googled his name and we found the clinic (Injury Care). We found (12) invoices from that clinic for treatment to Sandor Earl, totalling around $1,000.

"They weren't paid until January 2012 because the club wasn't in the best financial shape at that time.

"They were also sent to Panthers Group and not the football club. When we found them we forwarded them to the NRL's Integrity Unit to investigate.

"We left it in the hands of the NRL. We've since conducted a review of our procedures, because there was a player going off-site for treatment without any authorisation from the club.

"That's a problem, not just for Penrith, that you can't control players once they're away from your care.

"We've completely changed our procedures as a result and no one is to get any treatment - or pay any invoices - unless it's authorised by the doctor.

"This player has done something individually wrong and if he's found guilty of trafficking then I hope they throw the book at him."

Panthers general manager Phil Gould confirmed to News Corp in June that the club had referred the Earl issue to the NRL's integrity unit.

Dr Khan's Cabramatta Injury Care Clinic has previously featured in relation to Dank and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency's drugs-in-sport investigation, with the Cronulla Sharks billed by the clinic for blood tests at the start of 2011.

At the time the blood tests were conducted, Dank was in the process of implementing the supplements program that has landed the Sharks in the crosshairs of the ongoing  ASADA investigation.

Crucially, CJC-1295 is one of the peptides the Sharks stand accused of using, according to the independent report compiled by Dr Tricia Kavanagh and detailed by News Corp in May.

Kavanagh's report led to coach Shane Flanagan being stood down for a fortnight and four staff members being sacked by the club's previous board, before the new board headed by Damian Keogh opted to overthrow the decisions.

Trainer Mark Noakes, who has since been reinstated against the NRL's advice, provided a statement naming CJC-1295 and GHRP-6 as the peptides that the Sharks allegedly used.

So given Earl has been issued with an infraction notice for the use of CJC-1295, Cronulla's place in the finals remains a bone of contention among rival NRL clubs.

Dank has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or giving athletes banned substances.

Earl joined the Panthers at the start of 2011 and spent the majority of his tenure injured or playing NSW Cup for Windsor Wolves.

He then switched clubs to the Canberra Raiders midway through last year and went on to star in the 2012 finals.

The winger, renowned for his combination with Blake Ferguson, started this season strongly before being dropped to NSW Cup and then recently re-emerged in the NRL.

In May, Earl announced he would be leaving the NRL at the end of this season to play French rugby for second division club Pau on a one-year contract worth $220,000.

That contract is now up in the air given that the World Anti-Doping Agency's code can also be applied in European rugby.

Sandor Earl promo Source: Supplied

23.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ryan vows to tone down SBW jibes

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

BEAU Ryan has offered to tone down his impersonations of Sonny Bill Williams if the Roosters superstar is genuinely offended by his Footy Show antics.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The Sharks winger regularly pokes fun at the champion forward on his light-hearted SBW TV segment where he also takes off Benji Marshall, Sam Burgess and Kevin Rudd. 

Ryan says he will stop the moment Sonny Bill asks him too.

SBW went looking for Ryan in last Monday night's game at Shark Park, collecting him with a shoulder charge.

Ryan went off suffering from concussion after another big hit later in the game. 

"I spoke to him after the game," Ryan said. 

"It's all fun and he was alright. 

"Obviously they were filthy because they lost. I just shook his hand and said hope your family is well, stuff like that. 

"He just said to be careful with a few of the things I said. The day he taps me on the shoulder and says don't do it, I'll stop. 

"I guess it's lucky for me the shoulder charge is banned because he would have come looking for me more often.

"I'll probably ease up. He's a good guy. I respect him and think he's the best player in the game.

"Look, if he pulled me aside and said stop it, I would."

TOP EIGHT FINALS RACE EXPLAINED 

Footy Show executive producer Glenn Pallister says he was surprised by the reaction on Monday night.

"Everyone knows Beau hasn't got a vindictive bone in his body," he said. 

"He's a very respectful man who laughs with people, not at them. 

"He would never purposely be disrespectful to someone of Sonny Bill's stature." 

Like Ryan, Sonny Bill is on the Channel Nine payroll to make regular appearances as part of a third-party deal with the Roosters. 

Nine supremo David Gyngell was involved in the contract negotiations with Nick Politis to get SBW back to the NRL this year.

Ryan has the most popular segment on the Footy Show and enjoys a cult following from women and children.

"I guess it puts a bit of pressure on myself but I don't mind that," he said. 

"It's all light-hearted and people enjoy it. 

"I don't want to offend anyone. I'm just trying to make people laugh. As long as no-one gets hurt. I don't think I'm saying anything too derogatory.

"I do it to Benji, Sam Burgess and Sonny. I know Sammy Burgess didn't mind it and all the Souths boys loved it. 

"Maybe I'll keep it light hearted with the blokes I know best like Benji, Robbie Farah and Gal.

"They're easy enough targets."

Ryan knew before Monday night's game Sonny Bill would come looking for him and he joked about it with Sharks team mates in the build-up. 

"I told Gal I was going to run straight at him and he said 'good luck,'" Ryan said.

"Maybe I do have a target on my head.

"I guess my sort of stuff hasn't been done before.

"Matty Johns in his last year did a bit of this stuff and Wendell did too. 

"As long as people understand ... I respect all my opponents ... and we're just trying to have a bit of fun." 

23.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

NRL considers suspending Fergo

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

THE NRL integrity unit will consider suspending tormented Blues Origin star Blake Ferguson after yet another serious off-field incident came to light on Thursday.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

And even his minder, boxer Anthony Mundine, is running out of patience with the wayward star.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

In another eventful day for the NRL's most troubled footballer, it was revealed Ferguson had been caught speeding and driving a car while his license is suspended. 

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

He lost his ACT license for demerit points recently then last Saturday was again pulled over by Goulburn Highway Patrol officers for travelling at 128kph in a 110kph area. 

He was issued with a Field Court Attendance notice to attend Moss Vale Local Court on October 21.

Sources have confirmed he passed a breathalyser test and there was no suggestion he had been drinking.

"He was very co-operative and the police had no issues with his demeanour," said senior sergeant Allan McCulloch, the head of Goulburn Highway patrol. 

Ferguson's minder, boxer Anthony Mundine, told The daily Telegraph he was unaware of the driving offences.

"He hasn't mentioned anything to me," Mundine said.

"I have spoken to Blake about his activities last weekend. He needs to get himself sorted.

"I'm trying very, very hard with him."

The NRL integrity unit will call for a report on Ferguson's latest incident next week.

He is also to appear in Waverley court next week on indecent assault charges from a Cronulla nightclub. He has pleaded not guilty. 

And NRL source said senior officials were closely monitoring the situation. 

It is highly unlikely the NRL will register a new contract with another club until his matters have been dealt with in court. 

"The integrity unit looks at all incidents that involve the police," a spokesman said.

Ferguson's contract was deregistered for four weeks earlier this year over the indecent assault charges.

Ferguson, 23, has had a string of indiscretions this year, mostly alcohol-fuelled.

Having been kicked out of a music festival last December during the off-season, he was in March fined $10,000 over an infamous rooftop drinking session with Josh Dugan, who was subsequently sacked from Canberra. 

Ferguson was also charged on June 18 over the alleged indecent assault of a woman in a Cronulla nightclub, costing him his NSW jersey for the second State of Origin game. 

He has pleaded not guilty in court, with the matter adjourned until September 3. 

Last weekend he invoked the rage of teammates and fans by coming to Sydney to hang out with Todd Carney rather than attending a Canberra game against Manly, which the Raiders lost, putting their finals hopes in grave danger. 

Ferguson and Carney were photographed by a fan at the Clovelly Hotel the night before the game. 

Post-match, caretaker coach Andrew Dunemann claimed Ferguson was fit to play, which the star denied, saying he had an ongoing hip flexor problem. 

Ferguson was not selected this week and has gone AWOL from the Raiders. 

He has almost certainly played his last game for the club and is desperate to return to Sydney. 

His uncle Anthony Mundine has been acting as his mentor and manager to try to keep his promising career on track.

Ferguson recently spoke about his hopes of turning his life around. 

"I owe to grassroots football because I know a lot of these kids idolise me," he said. 

"I have been setting a bad example but I want to change that. I can't keep playing up and giving them the wrong impression."

A meeting with superstar Sonny Bill Williams over dinner at an Eastern Suburbs restaurant recently gave him new hope.

"I've met Sonny Bill him a few times," he said.

"You go back to when he was a young guy in football before he left overseas.

"He was a bit of a problem child too. I look at him and think, if he can do it, I can do it.

"It's going to take a lot of commitment and I'm willing to do that. I can't just say that, I've got to do it."

23.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

How text messages exposed Sandor

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

SANDOR Earl threw himself at the mercy of ASADA after text messages from several mobile phones framed him for a network that distributed peptides and other prescription drugs.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Almost seven months since the "Blackest Day in Sport" press conference, the Canberra Raiders winger became the first footballer to be handed an infraction notice after being charged with trafficking and using performance-enhancing substances. 

Earl faces a ban of four years to life, but is striving to have the penalty reduced to 12 months after electing to stand down immediately and provide ASADA with extensive information about his activities. 

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

In a flash press conference announced Thursday afternoon to avoid leaks, NRL boss Dave Smith declared that Earl had admitted in an interview with ASADA on Tuesday to using and trafficking banned peptide CJC-1295.

"Admissions were made regarding the use and trafficking of peptide CJC-1295," Smith said. 

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

News Corp can reveal ASADA's file against Earl does not implicate any other NRL players or athletes bound by the WADA code.

His lawyer Tim Unsworth said the trafficking charges against Earl could still be contested. 

That charge is two-fold and begins with controversial sports scientist, Steve Dank, the investigation's central figure. 

Earl first met Dank while playing for the Penrith Panthers in early 2011, when the sports scientist was assisting the club with its GPS and Hypoxi programs.

But it wasn't until Earl had a double shoulder reconstruction midway through that season that the pair began to discuss a different form of treatment.

In August 2011, Dank referred Earl to a clinic in Cabramatta run by Dr Ijaz Khan to administer injections to help quicken his recovery.

News corp understands the injections were banned peptide CJC-1295. 

Mr Unsworth claimed Earl had been assured the substance was WADA-approved.

"Sandor was under the instruction of a medical practitioner," Unsworth said. 

Earl received 12 rounds of injections over a two-month period, during which time he transported a prohibited substance between Dank's office in Mascot and Dr Khan's clinic in Cabramatta.

"Sandor basically picked up something from Dank and took it to Dr Khan," Mr Unsworth said. 

"It was entirely for his own use." 

ASADA believe this trip constituted one of the elements of the trafficking charges against Earl. 

But the anti-doping watchdog also possessed text messages from Dank's phone and others that implicated Earl in further trafficking activity. 

The text messages suggested that Earl was the "middle man" in several transactions that do not involve other NRL players or athletes bound by the WADA code. 

It's understood those transactions involved prescription drugs, as well as WADA-banned substances, and took place for a period of time after Earl's initial consultations with Dank and the Cabramatta clinic. 

Mr Unsworth said there was no evidence suggesting Earl had distributed or sold the drugs, but the wide nature of the NRL's Anti-Doping Policy definition of "trafficking" meant the charge could still be laid. 

Earl was initially interviewed by ASADA on August 4 over allegations he had merely used banned peptides. 

The trafficking accusations were first raised during that interview, but Mr Unsworth objected because the more serious claim was not raised in Earl's initial interview notice. 

He was issued with a second interview notice and re-interviewed the following day. Earl was confronted with the text messages and other evidence of trafficking during that meeting.

Struggling emotionally all season, he elected to stand down immediately in the hope of returning to action as soon as possible. 

Should Earl be successful in obtaining the "substantial assistance" defence and only receive a one-year ban, he will be eligible to return on August 28, 2014.

He did not expect the development to be made public on Thursday, but the NRL wanted to act immediately to avoid the media from breaking the development first. 

As NRL boss Dave Smith's announcement stunned the sporting landscape, the player was meeting Raiders officials and declined to comment.  

Dank has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing with regard to the supplements programs. Dr Khan declined to comment.

Sandor Earl promo Source: Supplied

23.34 | 0 komentar | Read More