Good evening!

Here’s an unusual story from the NFL over the weekend. Maybe skip ahead if you have a sensitive stomach, though.

Green Bay Packers coach Matt LeFleur was confused when his quarterback, Malik Willis, didn’t throw the ball to another player on a key play and opted to run instead.

The reason? Josh Myers, the centre who passed the ball back to Willis, had accidentally vomited on the ball before the play began. Unsurprisingly, Willis thought it’d be best to hang on to the ball rather than pass it, given its slippery state.

Myers told USA Today after the game: “I’ve got to do my job. Unfortunately, no one cares if I’m throwing up if I give up a sack, you know?”

I’ve got 10 seconds

Stat of the day

7
The number of people in the running to become the next President of the International Olympic Committee. The list includes two-time gold medallists Kirsty Coventry (swimming) and Sebastian Coe (running). Coventry is the only female candidate for the position.

Quote of the day

"Paris St-Germain doesn't tolerate racism, antisemitism or any other form of discrimination. The racial insults directed at Nuno Mendes are totally unacceptable.”
French football club Paris St-Germain in a statement on Sunday after Mendes was subject to racial abuse on social media following the side’s 3-1 win over Brest in Ligue 1, France’s top football league. The club is working with authorities to identify the perpetrators.

Random fact of the day

The record for the circumnavigation of Australia on a bicycle is 37 days, 20 hours and 45 minutes. It was set in 2011 by Queenslander David Alley. The record is in danger at the moment, however, as cyclist Lachlan Morton is currently pedalling his way around the country very quickly. You can check his progress here. 

I’ve got 30 seconds

In case you missed it…

🏉 The AFLW Rising Star nominee for week three was Kaitlyn Srhoj. The 19-year-old Giants player had 20 disposals, six tackles and four clearances in her side’s 36-36 draw with the Gold Coast Suns at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Sunday. Srhoj was the third pick in last year’s draft.

⛵ In the America’s Cup semi-finals, Switzerland and America secured respective wins over Great Britain and Italy to keep their hopes of challenging New Zealand alive. Great Britain now leads Switzerland 4-1 and Italy leads the U.S. 4-1. Five wins are required to advance to the finals. 

🤸 American gymnast Jordan Chiles has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court of Switzerland to overturn a ruling by the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) that saw her stripped of an Olympic bronze medal. Last month, two Romanian gymnasts made a successful appeal to the CAS, after Chiles’ coach challenged the judge’s scoring in the women’s floor routine and moved from fifth place to third place, knocking them out of the medals. 

🏏 19-year-old fast bowler Mahli Beardman has been added to Australia’s One Day International cricket squad ahead of a five-match series against England. Beardman played for Australia in the U-19 World Cup earlier this year. He joins the squad as several fast bowlers are injured and unable to play. The first match is on Thursday at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

I’ve got 1 minute

Tom Sermanni to serve as interim Matildas coach while search continues

Tom Sermanni will serve as the Matildas’ interim coach while Football Australia searches for a full-time replacement for  Tony Gustavsson. It’s the third time Sermanni has been appointed as the coach of the Matildas.

Who is Sermanni?

The 70-year-old has had two previous stints with the Matildas, between 1994-1997 and 2005-2012. During the second period, Sermanni led the team to victory in the 2010 Asian Cup. More recently, he has coached the U.S. and New Zealand women’s teams and was the Canadian women’s team’s technical advisor in the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup. His current role is as the Head of Women’s Soccer at the Western Sydney Wanderers.

What they said:

Football Australia CEO James Johnson said: “Tom’s appointment allows us the time and space to make the right decision for the long-term future of the Matildas’ program while ensuring our team remains in capable hands for the upcoming international fixtures.”

Upcoming fixtures this year

The Matildas have three matches left to play this year. On 29 October they will play Olympic bronze-medallists Germany, before two matches against Chinese Taipei on 4 and 7 December. 

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I’ve got 2 minutes

Manchester City football club set to face trial

English Premier League football club Manchester City is on trial this week following alleged violations of the Premier League’s financial regulations. The club has had major success since 2008, when it was purchased by Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group. It won a Champions League title in 2023 and has picked up six of the last seven Premier League titles. 

Charges

Last year, Manchester City was charged with 115 breaches of league rules between 2009 and 2023. The club is accused of failing to provide accurate financial information regarding sponsorship, operating costs, and revenue. 

35 of the 115 charges are for not assisting with the Premier League’s investigation. The club has always denied any wrongdoing.

The case, which is expected to last about ten weeks, is being presided over by three judges appointed by the Premier League Judicial Panel. 

Possible consequences

If found guilty, the club could be docked Premier League points or even expelled from the League. They may also be stripped of titles if it is found they gained an unfair advantage during successful years. Manchester City currently sits at the top of the Premier League table, with four wins from four games.

What they said

Last week, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said: "It starts soon and then [hopefully] finishes soon... Everyone is innocent until proven guilty."

When the charges were announced in  2023, the club said it  “welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position."

A message from our sponsor

The Paralympics' impact on accessibility in sport

Samantha Lilly, a Graduate Researcher at Deakin University and an elite athlete with a disability explores in a recent article how the Paralympics enhance accessibility in sport at all levels.

The first Paralympics took place in Rome in 1960 and the Games have grown in scope and influence since then. This growth has improved the global awareness of disabled sports which in turn has helped improve accessibility.

The Paralympics can be attributed to driving innovations in assistive technology to help para-athletes perform. For example, the evolution of running blades for amputee athletes from basic prosthetics to advanced carbon fiber designs. Australia encourages this sort of innovation with over 100 funding schemes for assistive technology.

Increased investment in disabled sports has also led to better training facilities. For example, the NSW Institute of Sport in Sydney is designed to accommodate and develop athletes with various disabilities.

Beyond tangible benefits, the Paralympics has fostered global discussions about inclusion and accessibility and the achievements of Paralympians continue to challenge perceptions of disability concerning sport and athleticism.

Despite the progress that has been made, Lilly notes that accessible sport is often seen as a secondary priority. She urges that accessibility should be integral to sports clubs and society and not just an afterthought.

Think Beyond The Field. Study sport at Deakin.

Looking forward…(All times are AEST)

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