Andrew McMurtry – Michmutters

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Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel handshake sparked wild scenes after Tottenham-Chelsea draw

Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel handshake sparked wild scenes after Tottenham-Chelsea draw

Tottenham and Chelsea played out a controversial English Premier League draw but that was only half the show as both coaches were sent off in wild scenes after full-time.

After a running battle throughout the match, things got truly heated after the final whistle when Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and Tottenhal boss Antonio Conte were both awarded red cards after an intense handshake sparked wild scenes following the 2-all draw.

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Earlier in the match, Conte’s overexuberant celebrations of Spurs’ first equalizer resulted in the two coaches being booked for squaring up.

Tuchel then responded by running down the touchline in celebration when Chelsea retouched the lead through Reece James 13 minutes from time.

But Harry Kane’s 96th minute equalizer meant Conte had the last laugh.

Tuchel was not happy at the Italian for not making eye contact during a handshake at full-time, which sparked another melee between both sets of coaches and players.

Conte looked to be going for a quick shake, while Tuchel held onto the Italian’s hand and dragging him into the confrontation.

Conte could be heard over the pitch mics saying “What do you want?” as both sides returned to the pitch in defense of their managers.

As players and staff rushed in, security was forced to separate the pair and break up the wild scenes on the pitch.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Tuchel said the issue was sparked as Conte did not look at him in the eye during the handshake.

“I thought when we shake hands you looked in each other eyes, he had a different opinion,” said Tuchel.

“It (the red cards) was not necessary but a lot of things were not necessary. Another poor decision from the referee.”

Tuchel revealed his main source of anger due to the fact both of the Tottenham goals could have been disallowed.

Tuchel was unhappy the Spurs’ Rodrigo Bentancur sliding challenge on Kai Havertz went unpunished, while Tottenham’d Richarlison was off-side and in the eyeline of Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy in the first goal.

In the second goal, Cristian Romero dragged Marc Cucurella to the ground by his hair which led to the corner for Kane’s last-gasp equaliser.

“Both (Tottenham goals) cannot stand. Only one team deserved to win,” Tuchel added.

“We dominated for 90 minutes. We were sharp, we were hungry, it was a top performance. I’m sorry for all my players that we didn’t get the result we deserved.

“There was a clear foul on Kai Havertz and the situation goes on and on. Clear off-side on Richarlison off-side and since when can you pull hair on a football field? It’s ridiculous.”

However, after the match, Tuchel admitted it got too heated on the sidelines.

“It was hot from the temperature and hot between the benches and hot on the field and hot between the spectators,” Tuchel said with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius in the English capital.

“There’s no hard feelings. I feel like it was a fair tackle from him and a fair tackle from me.

“We did not insult each other, we did not hit each other, we were fighting for our teams and from my side there’s absolutely no hard feelings. I’m surprised that we both got a red card for that.”

Conte batted away several questions about his tete-a-tete with Tuchel, but admitted a gap between the sides remains despite Spurs’ improvement.

Chelsea won all four meetings between the sides last season, three of them after Conte took charge in November.

“In my opinion it is better to talk about the game,” Conte said. “Chelsea showed to be a really good team, but compared to last season we did a bit better.

“The difference is clear. This team won the Champions League two years ago, last year won the Club World Cup, got to the final of the FA Cup and Carabao (League) Cup.

“There is a difference between Chelsea and Tottenham but we are here to reduce this gap. Last season we lost three times, this time we drew so it’s a little step forward.”

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Tennis news 2022: Casper Ruud fined for not going to the toilet, Montreal Masters, code violation, reaction

Tennis news 2022: Casper Ruud fined for not going to the toilet, Montreal Masters, code violation, reaction

Casper Ruud is the biggest name left in the Montreal Masters but the world No. 7 has landed in hot water after a bizarre code violation in his 6-7 7-6 6-4 win over Roberto Bautista Agut.

The thrilling clash took more than three hours to finish but at the end of the first set, which Ruud lost in a tie-breaker, he took a bathroom break.

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Rather than needing to use the amenities however, the Norwegian just wanted a change of clothes.

When he returned however, umpire Fergus Murphy told Ruud he was in violation of the rules because he didn’t go to the bathroom.

While it was just a warning, it was a bizarre scene as Ruud tried to get his head around the umpire’s instructions.

Ruud: “What, but I used it to change my clothes?”

Murphy: “You have to go to the bathroom as well. That’s the rule,”

Ruud: “But if I need to change my underwear, what do I do? Do it on the court?

Murphy: “No, no, you can do both. It’s called a bathroom break.”

Ruud: “But if I need a change of clothes, what do I do?”

Murphy: “Yeah, I know that man but the rule is covered by the bathroom break rule. You can change your clothes but you have to go to the bathroom when you say you’re going to the bathroom.

Ruud: “But I didn’t say I was going to the bathroom, I said I was going to change my clothes.”

Murphy: “No I heard that.”

Ruud: “My socks, my underwear, my shorts, my t-shirt.”

Murphy: “That is covered by the bathroom break rule.”

Ruud: “Ok, well next time I take it, I’m going to go to the bathroom I just go into the toilet.”

Murphy: :You have to go to the bathroom, that’s your business. But when you don’t go I have to give you a warning for not going, that’s why I’m explaining it.”

Ruud: “So what is it, like a $3000 fine or something?”

Murphy: “I have no idea about that.”

Murphy then gave Ruud an official unsportsmanlike conduct warning.

The ATP’s rule book states “Unsportsmanlike conduct is defined as any misconduct by a player that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the success of a tournament, ATP and/or the Sport.”

Fines generally go along with the code violations and the unsportsmanlike conduct violation “shall subject a player to a fine up to $20,000 for each violation” — although it’s unlikely to be a full $20k.

The commentators were laughing at the situation.

“It’s seems a little ridiculous that you almost have to fake going to the bathroom,” one said.

The bizarre scenes were not lost on fans who were stunned by what they had seen.

However, others pointed to it being a 10-minute break when players are allowed “a maximum of three minutes once they have entered the toilet” and “two minutes for a change of attire in addition to the three-minute toilet break”.

In Ruud’s defence, the court was some way from the locker room.

Ruud, who has won three titles so far this season, is the highest seed still remaining in the tournament.

After the break and the warning, Ruud bounced back to take out the second set in another tense tie-break.

But in the deciding set, both meant had to head to the locker rooms after a 69-minute interruption as thunderstorms passed over the area at 1-0 to Bautista Agut in the third.

He said time in the locker room was the perfect antidote for a game which had gone slightly stale as he battled the Spaniard.

“Thanks to the weather gods,” he said. “It was a tough battle, the first two sets, two hours 20 minutes of good intensity.

“But I was feeling it a bit in the legs, it was tough to find my intensity. The rain gave me time to breathe and regain some energy.”

Ruud wrapped up a long afternoon on his fourth match point, ending with 54 winners and 39 unforced errors.

“I’m still surviving, there will be another match tomorrow and I’ll try to survive it,” added the seventh-ranked Ruud, who is the top target remaining after the second-round exits of Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas .

He’ll play Canadian sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who dispatched Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4.

With AFP

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Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer claims F1 conspiracy over Oscar Piastri McLaren move

Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer claims F1 conspiracy over Oscar Piastri McLaren move

Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer has said he “would not be surprised” if major F1 figures are sharing information behind closed doors as the Oscar Piastri fiasco continues to bubble away.

While the news of Piastri’s mooted move to McLaren to replace countryman Daniel Ricciardo has not been officially announced by the team, Szafnauer has spoken on the issue.

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The issue came to a head when two-time world champion Fernando Alonso sensationally revealed he was leaving Alpine for Aston Martin, leaving a free seat to which the French outfit announced Piastri would be taking.

It was also revealed Alonso did not tell Alpine bosses of his decision to defect before it was made public.

But Piastri threw a spanner in the works, revealed he would “not be driving for Alpine next year” via a social media statement.

It quickly snowballed into reports Piastri was signed with McLaren who were willing to pay out Ricciardo’s seat, which will cost the team a reported $21 million.

The one snag appears to be whether Piastri had a valid contract at Alpine.

French publication Auto Hebdo reported this week the F1’s Contract Recognition Board found both Piastri’s Alpine and McLaren contracts are valid.

It has left Alpine threatening to file a civil lawsuit to recover the millions of dollars in training it has spent on Piastri this season.

“Going to the High Court is over 90 per cent certain that’s what we’ll do,” Szafnauer told Reuters.

“If the CRB (Contract Recognition Board) says ‘Your license is only valid at Alpine’, and then he (Piastri) says ‘That’s great, but I’m never driving for them, I’ll just sit out a year’, then you’ve got to go to the High Court for compensation.”

But the Alpine boss has also hinted at potential collusion between Piastri’s manager Mark Webber, Alonso and his manager Flavio Briatore.

Webber and Alonso are close friends after their time in F1, while Briatore, who was a former team boss at Bennetton and Renault, has been Alonso’s long-term manager.

“Look, I have no record of it, but this is Formula 1 and maybe in a couple of years someone says that they have evidence of shared information, I would not be surprised,” Szafnauer said.

“I always tell everyone that in Formula 1 you have to act as if everyone knows everything. That there are no secrets in these things. When you ask someone not to say anything, they act like everyone knows.

“That’s how I’ve run my business in Formula 1 for 25 years. And if this (information sharing) has happened, you should not be surprised.”

The Piastri drama has been getting fairly heated as Alpine still want the Aussie in their car, but Szafnauer has questioned the youngster’s integrity.

Szafnauer may not be the only one who smells something fishy either.

Former F1 driver turned pundit Christian Danner said Piastri’s tactics “clearly has the handwriting” of Briatore.

Briatore was forced out of the sport in disgrace after the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, when Nelson Piquet Jr. alleged he had been ordered to deliberately crash to help Alonso, who was his teammate at the time. Alonso went on to win the race.

Briatore was banned from the sport indefinitely for a short time but it was overturned.

The 72-year-old continues to manage Alonso.

“It’s classic Flavio. There was certainly a contract for Piastri that Flavio has skimmed over … there was definitely a clause,” Danner told German publication Motorsport Magazine.

“When he believes in someone, he has the foresight to plan in a positive sense – and not just ruthlessly, which is logically the case in this business.

“I could imagine Piastri being able to free himself from Alpine’s grip, so that he can hopefully drive for McLaren for the next two years and then be free for a big deal. That definitely has Briatore’s signature.

“It can all go wrong, of course, but if it works out, then he (Briatore) has done everything right.”

It seems all the twists and turns are a long way from over in this drama.

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Little League sportsmanship hug after being hit with pitch goes viral, reaction, Isaiah Jarvis and Kaiden Shelton

Little League sportsmanship hug after being hit with pitch goes viral, reaction, Isaiah Jarvis and Kaiden Shelton

Heartwarming scenes at a US Little League playoff have shown the world there is actually hope for the future.

In the first inning of the Southwest Region Playoff final between Pearland, Texas and Tulsa, Oklahoma and a spot in the Little League World Series on the line, the video of a batter hugging a pitcher has gone viral.

And remember, these kids are between 10 to 12-years-old.

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A pitch got away from Texas pitcher Kaiden Shelton, slamming into the side of Oklahoma batter Isaiah Jarvis’ head, knocking his helmet off and sending a scare around the stadium.

“That’s a tough kid right there,” the commentator said.

Jarvis needed a second after the painful blow but took his place on first base.

But after looking up and seeing Sheldon was getting teary eyed on the mound, Jarvis went to console him, hugging his opponent in lovely scenes.

“This is really cool because as a pitcher, (Shelton) looks shaken up right now because of what he did and look at Jarvis. This is such great sportsmanship,” a commentator for ESPN said. “He wants him to know that it’s OK, that he’ll be fine. Amazing.”

The moment drew a standing ovation and even tears from some in the crowd.

Pearland went on to defeat Tusla 9-4 and will go into the Little League World Series but the moment has had a life of its own, getting millions of views online.

Speaking to CNN, Jarvis said it was “crazy” the video had been taken off.

Jarvis said he did it because he wanted to spread the lesson that “you should care for other people.”

“As soon as I’ve seen him get emotional because he hit me, I wanted to go over there and spread God’s love and make sure he’s okay and make sure he knows that I’m okay and that I’ll be okay,” Jarvis said.

Shelton said he didn’t know Jarvis was coming to hug him and said: “It felt like he cared.

“I also cared about him and it just shows there’s a lot of sportsmanship in baseball.”

Jarvis’ head coach Sean Kouplen said he believed it was just what the world needed.

“I believe what we are seeing is that our world is tired of divisiveness,” he said. “We all saw is friendship and love and caring trump competition. I believe that just struck a chord with everybody.”

But the world was blown away by the moment when at the professional level, it likely would have ended in heated scenes and maybe even the dugouts emptying onto the field.

While the world can quite often be termed a dumpster fire, scenes like this show the kids will actually be alright.

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Penrith Panthers Greg Alexander blasts ‘ludicrous’ twist in Melbourne Storm wrestling claim, NRL, what they said

Penrith Panthers Greg Alexander blasts 'ludicrous' twist in Melbourne Storm wrestling claim, NRL, what they said

Penrith legend Greg Alexander has shut down claims he was sent in by the Panthers to fire a premeditated attack on Melbourne ahead of Thursday’s clash between the clubs.

Speaking after Patrick Carrigan’s ugly hip drop tackle on Tigers star Jackson Hastings, Alexander sparked controversy when he claimed the Storm were to blame for the wrestling tactics which have infiltrated the NRL.

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Carrigan’s tackle led to Hastings breaking his leg and the Broncos forward copping a four-match suspension.

Storm legend Cameron Smith and Melbourne boss Matt Tripp have fired back in the bitter stoush with Alexander but the footy great is standing firm.

Journalist Brent Read suggested on NRL 360 on Wednesday night Alexander’s comments were timed to add spice to Thursday’s clash and the upcoming finals series.

“I don’t think the club’s gone to Brandy and said, ‘Hey Brandy, how about you go on radio this week and give it to Melbourne’,” Read said.

“But I’m sure there’s a little something in him in the argument that it’s a good time to bring it up, to raise it and point the finger at Melbourne.”

Alexander replied on Thursday, saying “even (Read) didn’t believe what he was saying, the rest of the panel certainly didn’t tumble into it”.

Alexander shut down suggestions he was launching a media campaign against the Storm on behalf of the Panthers.

“It’s ludicrous to think there was any planning in the comments I made,” Alexander told SEN Breakfast. “We made the comments based on our listeners and what they were saying.

“It was about the Patrick Carrigan hip drop and the no-charge to Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

“That’s how the story came about. I just mentioned a couple of things thinking it wasn’t any great revelation. Cam Smith had his say of him, I had my say.

“End of story, there was no planning and nothing to do with Penrith, it was just me.”

Brandy hopes that’s the end of it. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

It comes as relations between Alexander and the Storm sour, following Tripp’s stinging public rebuke of the Penrith co-chairman. .

Alexander said he was “surprised” by the initial backlash, adding: “I thought it was just a general consensus that over the last 20 years that all the tackles, the wrestling techniques had come out of Melbourne.

“I might be generalizing or even jumping to a conclusion, but I don’t think I am.

“These tackles over the last 20 years, all the different types of techniques, they appear in the game and it takes the game a little while to catch up to them.”

Smith had labeled Alexander’s comments “really unfair” but Tripp went much further, claiming Alexander has been “a Melbourne Storm detractor for many years, to the extent that when he’s commentating one of our games, most of us down here in Melbourne have to watch it with the volume turned down because he’s so biased and so one-sided and so anti-Melbourne that not only is he embarrassing himself, but he’s embarrassing the broadcasters he represents”.

Tripp added the accusation was “beyond absurd”, then doubled down.

“For the deputy chair of one of our biggest competitors, a week out from having to play them, to make unfounded and stupid comments as he has done, just goes to the arrogance of that club and their perceived status in the game at the moment ,” he told The Ageadding it was “borderline defamatory” and “I can’t believe that his continued witch hunt for us for over 20 years still goes on to this day”.

Cameron Smith defended his former club. Photo by Mike Owen/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Alexander hit back at those comments.

“I wasn’t even aware that in Round 22 Penrith were playing Melbourne on Thursday night. I haven’t got enough room in my brain to think about weeks ahead,” Alexander said on Monday.

“I’m a journalist that chases clickbait stories? If there was someone in the game chasing headlines at least, I might fall into that category with a number of others.

“Another claim was that I’ve been singling out and campaigning against the Melbourne Storm for years.

“That’s just garbage, it’s just fanciful and it’s in the fairytale realm that I speak about sometimes, that’s just made up.”

Others have also come to Alexander’s defence.

His SEN co-host Andrew Voss said “Melbourne is the best at it” when it comes to wrestling tactics.

The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis told NRL 360: “There’s no doubt the Storm have a chip on their shoulder as soon as anyone mentions the word wrestle.”

Braith Anasta added: “You know what I think about Melbourne, I think they only hear the negative.

“We sit here every week and we commentate their games and we praise them every week about the powerhouse they’ve been since they’ve come into the competition.

“The success they’ve had, their continued success year after year after year under Craig Bellamy and their organization and the head honchos has been unbelievable and unrivalled.

“But if anyone criticizes or criticises Melbourne in any way, shape or form it’s Sydney against Melbourne and we’re attacking Melbourne Storm.”

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Kane Cornes slams Port Adelaide boss David Koch’s ‘watch out’ warning amid Ken Hinkley drama

Kane Cornes slams Port Adelaide boss David Koch's 'watch out' warning amid Ken Hinkley drama

Port Adelaide 300-gamer Kane Cornes has blasted club chairman David Koch after he appeared to say no one’s job is safe after a horror 2022 season.

The team has made the preliminary final in the last two seasons but not been able to get over the hump to a grand final but have slumped to miss the playoffs, sitting 14 points out of the finals with just two matches remaining.

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It was a slump few saw coming and sparked fury from certain supporters, who plastered a “sack Hinkley” poster over a sign near the club’s headquarters last week.

Although Hinkley brushed it off, his ears no doubt would have pricked up when Koch appeared to state on radio he was “not afraid to make change”.

“It’s not just about one individual person, it’s the whole program. Turn it around or watch out,” Koch told Fiveaa on Monday.

“Every single person’s role will be assessed at the end of the year, as we do each year.”

But for Cornes, those comments were not good enough, believing Koch had bowed to the pressure from the loudest voices.

“This is a classic example of a chairman kicking with the breeze,” he said on SEN SA Breakfast.

“He had felt the angst from the supporter group, he felt like he needed to make a strong statement to alleviate some of the concerns from the very Port Adelaide supporter group who share their feedback regularly.

“Their desire to sack Ken Hinkley right now, Kochie (Koch) listened to that and he’s said, ‘even though my language has been one way all year, with two games to go I’m going to alleviate some of the concerns from the Port Adelaide supporter group and make a big, strong, sweeping statement about the coaching with two weeks to go’: ‘turn it around or watch out’.

“Turn what around? There are two weeks left in the season. What do you need to know in the next two weeks regarding Ken Hinkley’s ability to coach this club that you haven’t already discovered in the last ten years?

“Either make a call or back him in… ‘turn it around or watch out’, what a ridiculous thing to say.”

Although it appeared to be somewhat supportive of Hinkley’s position, Cornes continued, calling for Koch to make a decision, whether sacking the long-term coach or wholeheartedly committing.

“The thing that David Koch needs to do is make a call, is he your coach or is he not your coach?” Cornes continued.

“And if he’s not your coach, you have to tell him now so that he has the opportunity and you give him the respect to go and find another job.

“There are two vacant coaching jobs right now that Ken Hinkley would absolutely be in the mix for, but he can’t be in the mix for it if he thinks he’s going to be coaching Port Adelaide next year.

“Conversely, if he is your guy and you’ve contracted him for next year, which they have, back him in now. There’s nothing to be learned in the next two weeks that you don’t already know and you haven’t already discovered in the last 10 weeks.

“It was a stupid thing to say, it sent the media into a spin and it now has everyone questioning if Ken Hinkley will be there next year.”

Hinkley has coached Port Adelaide since 2013 and twice won AFLCA coach of the year but the Power have not made a grand final since 2007.

Hinkley is the second longest-serving coach behind only Mark Williams, the club’s sole AFL premiership winner.

Hinkley’s contract runs until the end of 2023.

Despite the comments, he told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 he knew where he stood as Port Adelaide coach.

“David (Koch) himself has said that he expects me to be coaching Port Adelaide in 2023, as I do and that’s what I am preparing for,” he said.

“I think I’ve been given enough assurances (he’ll see out his deal) through the season, not that I needed them to be fair.

“We all get there’s a finish line for everyone at some point.

“But as I sit here tonight, I’m more than confident that that won’t be at the end of 2022.”

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Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer’s claim shows Daniel Ricciardo has options, Mercedes link, Oscar Piastri fiasco, McLaren

Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer's claim shows Daniel Ricciardo has options, Mercedes link, Oscar Piastri fiasco, McLaren

Don’t worry about Daniel Ricciardo, he’s going to be fine.

The Aussie F1 veteran became the story of the F1 mid-year break when it was reported he was being moved on for his 21-year-old countryman Oscar Piastri.

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The news erupted last week after Fernando Alonso blindsided the F1 world when he jumped into Sebastian Vettel’s vacated seat at Aston Martin for 2023.

Alpine then announced Piastri would be the man to replace Alonso, only for the Melburnian to reject the seat, a bold move for a man who’s never driven an F1 car in anger.

But the news leaked over the weekend that it was Ricciardo’s seat Piastri was set to take, while McLaren were set to cut the eight-time race winner loose for the prodigious youngster — a move which would reportedly cost McLaren $21m in a payout for Ricciardo .

It leaves Ricciardo’s career at a crossroads after two largely miserable seasons in papaya, outside of the 2021 win at Monza.

Ricciardo had been regularly beaten by teammate Lando Norris and struggled to get his head around the car.

The 32-year-old left Renault for McLaren, but could return to the Enstone unit now branded Alpine, who are open to the move.

Alpine still believes it has an iron-clad deal with Piastri and are still planning for the young Aussie to take the seat, despite reports the FIA’s Contract Recognition Board had cleared Piastri’s move.

Although Alfa Romeo rookie and former Renault Academy driver Guanyu Zhou said he was glad he wasn’t “stuck” at Alpine, team boss Otmar Szafnauer believes his team is well placed to attack the top teams.

Speaking regarding Alonso’s decision, Szafnauer, the former Aston Martin boss, said: “I know both teams well,” he said. “I think I know (them), because I spent 12 years at the other team, better than I know all the individuals here just yet.

“And I know since I’ve left in December, they’ve hired some more people, some of which I was a part of recruiting, including Dan Fallows, and Eric Blandin from Mercedes. So I know what they’re trying to do.

“And I know that the people that are there, and I know this team here, and both teams have great potential.

“But as we sit here today, this team is performing at a much higher level. It’s hard to predict the future, but in the near future, for sure this team will continue to perform at that level, if not better.”

Alpine is currently fourth in the constructors’ standings on 99 points, behind only Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes, and four points in front of McLaren. Aston Martin is ninth on 20 points.

Szafnauer also said Alpine weren’t done coming fourth.

“We have an internal program called Mountain Climber, and that’s to hire an additional 75 people in strategic areas that will help improve the capabilities of this team,” he said.

“And along with the 75 people, there’s also tools that we are improving now, some simulation tools, a new simulator, expanded capacity in manufacturing, some upgrades to our wind tunnel, all with the focus on being able to win in 100 races.

“So those things are still happening here. And they’re happening fast. We’re already at a level of 850 people here.

“So I am confident that we can outdo the team that Fernando is going to, in the time period that he will be there.”

Ricciardo scored 119 points in Renault in 2020, the best by a driver since the manufacturer’s return to the sport in 2016.

There’s no doubt he would be a strong option for Alpine.

However, in an interview with The confidentialSzafnauer said he would narrow the shortlist to four drivers, revealing he had fielded “like 14 calls from drivers who are interested”.

ESPN’s Nate Saunders also said Ricciardo would “still command the attention of teams up and down the grid” adding he is “one of the most marketable drivers on the grid at the moment and one who is especially popular in America”.

He added four teams had contacted him in the past fortnight prior to the news McLaren were moving to ax the Western Australian.

The Expresseven suggested a pay out from McLaren to Ricciardo and a forced season on the sideline could open up Mercedes.

Ricciardo has long coveted a seat with Ferrari or Mercedes and said the Silver Arrows had “always had an eye” on Ricciardo.

The 37-year-old seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton has long been linked with retirement.

In 2019 when Ricciardo joined Renault, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said he had caught their eye but didn’t end up pulling the trigger.

“We always had an eye on Daniel… we really like him in here,” Wolff said at the time. “It’s just the mentality in Mercedes – I sometimes feel if you’re happy in your relationship it is not always easy (to change).

“It is like being married, you need to be 100 per cent behind it. It was not a lack of interest, it was just that we were in a happy relationship and there was no need to flirt with another woman at that stage.”

Is it likely? Not at this stage, but stranger things have happened.

Read related topics:Daniel Ricciardo

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Aussie great John Steffensen savages Rohan Browning over ‘amateur hour’ relay debacle

Rohan Browning was devastated. Photo: Getty Images

Former Aussie 400m star John Steffensen has blasted Australia’s relay debacle at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games as “amateur hour”.

Australia looked on track to qualify for the final of the 4x100m but it all fell apart at the final change when Rohan Browning tripped over his own feet and hit the deck.

It was a disappointing result after the team of Josh Azzopardi, Jacob Despard, Jack Hale and Browning crashed out.

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After an impressive showing, the commentators were stunned by the moment.

“The last change only has to be clean,” McAvaney started to say before Tamsyn Lewis shrieked in the commentary box as Browning hit the deck.

“Oh he’s fallen over. I can’t believe it. I cannot believe it.

“A disaster for the Australians.

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“I’ve never seen anything quite like it to be truthful.”

“That was awful,” Lewis-Manou added.

“He looks devastated. Rohan would not have been able to do a lot of this training, he would have been focusing on getting his body right. He just really stumbled when he took his acceleration phase.”

Still can’t believe it happened. Photo by David Ramos/Getty ImagesSource: Supplied

In looking for reasons behind the stumble, from a belief Browning struggled with not starting in the blocks or that he wasn’t confident starting on the bend rather than on the straight.

One who wasn’t looking for excuses was 2006 Commonwealth Games 400m gold medalist and Olympic 4x400m relay silver medalist John Steffensen.

“If that was a final, I’d kind of accept it because you really want to push your relay change zone passovers,” he said on Channel 7.

“You really want to push them out a bit, you want to take a bit more risk because you’re running against the best, or some of the best in the world, in the Commonwealth.

“But that was amateur hour last night. To see what happened with Rohan, I do not know what was going through his brain.

“Accidents happen, mistakes happen track and field, yes, I get it.

“But it’s one of those things, I’ve done it (many) times in training. Sometimes you want to push, you really push the barriers and the angle you want to come out of your drive because that’s how you go fast.

“In training you sort of go low, low and you will sort of work your way back up. Then you find a comfortable position that you can take off from.”

Rohan Browning was hoping for more. Photo by David Ramos/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Former Olympic 100m sprinter turned Channel 7 presenter Matt Shirvington said he knew how Browning felt, having been in a similar position in the 2006 Commonwealth Games 4x100m final.

In that final, Australia appeared headed for a medal but Shirvington took off a touch early and Adam Miller couldn’t catch him to pass the baton.

Shirvington said Browning would be “gutted.”

“Rohan more than most of them because the other boys have been there waiting to compete,” Shirvington told Channel 7.

“Rohan knows that coming into this he was going to have quite a bit of speed, he’s in good shape.

“I have been there before, I’ve been there a couple of times.

“I have been there at a packed MCG at the Commonwealth Games at the same change in the final and we haven’t made it happen.”

Browning did admit he was “gutted” soon after, apologizing to his teammates, who were on the team specifically for the relay.

“I’m so sorry. I know these boys put in so much work. In my years in athletics, nothing like this has ever happened and, hopefully, it never happens again.

“I just caught my toe and slipped. It has never happened before in training or in races.”

Browning looked horrified. Photo: Channel 7Source: Channel 7

Teammate Jack Hale was quick to console Browning both after the race and in the post-match interviews.

“It’s a relay. There are so many variables and these things happen. It is what it is,” Hale told Channel 7.

Browning finished sixth in the individual 100m final, falling just 0.06 seconds short of a bronze medal at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.

It was the closest Australia has got to winning a medal in the men’s blue ribbon event since Matt Shirvington’s lightning time of 10.03 still wasn’t enough for him to get a medal at the 1998 Games.

Australia has never won a medal in the men’s event since the Commonwealth Games changed the distance to 100m in 1970. Now we have to wait at least four more years.

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John Steffensen savages Rohan Browning over ‘amateur hour’ relay debacle: Commonwealth Games 2022

John Steffensen savages Rohan Browning over 'amateur hour' relay debacle: Commonwealth Games 2022

Former Aussie 400m star John Steffensen has blasted Australia’s relay debacle at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games as “amateur hour”.

Australia looked on track to qualify for the final of the 4x100m but it all fell apart at the final change when Rohan Browning tripped over his own feet and hit the deck.

It was a disappointing result after the team of Josh Azzopardi, Jacob Despard, Jack Hale and Browning crashed out.

After an impressive showing, the commentators were stunned by the moment.

“The last change only has to be clean,” McAvaney started to say before Tamsyn Manou shrieked in the commentary box as Browning hit the deck.

“Oh he’s fallen over. I can’t believe it. I cannot believe it. A disaster for the Australians. I’ve never seen anything quite like it to be truthful.”

“That was awful,” Manou added.

“He looks devastated. Rohan would not have been able to do a lot of this training, he would have been focusing on getting his body right. He just really stumbled when he took his acceleration phase.”

There were suggestions Browning struggled with not starting in the blocks or that he wasn’t confident starting on the bend rather than on the straight.

One who wasn’t looking for excuses was 2006 Commonwealth Games 400m gold medalist and Olympic 4x400m relay silver medalist John Steffensen.

“If that was a final, I’d kind of accept it because you really want to push your relay change zone passovers,” he said on Channel 7.

“You really want to push them out a bit, you want to take a bit more risk because you’re running against the best, or some of the best in the world, in the Commonwealth.

“But that was amateur hour last night. To see what happened with Rohan, I do not know what was going through his brain.

“Accidents happen, mistakes happen track and field, yes, I get it.

“But it’s one of those things, I’ve done it (many) times in training. Sometimes you want to push, you really push the barriers and the angle you want to come out of your drive because that’s how you go fast.

“In training you sort of go low, low and you will sort of work your way back up. Then you find a comfortable position that you can take off from.”

Former Olympic 100m sprinter turned Channel 7 presenter Matt Shirvington said he knew how Browning felt, having been in a similar position in the 2006 Commonwealth Games 4x100m final.

In that final, Australia appeared headed for a medal but Shirvington took off a touch early and Adam Miller couldn’t catch him to pass the baton.

Shirvington said Browning would be “gutted.”

“Rohan more than most of them because the other boys have been there waiting to compete,” Shirvington told Channel 7.

“Rohan knows that coming into this he was going to have quite a bit of speed, he’s in good shape.

“I have been there before, I’ve been there a couple of times.

“I have been there at a packed MCG at the Commonwealth Games at the same change in the final and we haven’t made it happen.”

Browning did admit he was “gutted” soon after, apologizing to his teammates, who were on the team specifically for the relay.

“I’m so sorry. I know these boys put in so much work. In my years in athletics, nothing like this has ever happened and, hopefully, it never happens again.

“I just caught my toe and slipped. It has never happened before in training or in races.”

Teammate Jack Hale was quick to console Browning both after the race and in the post-match interviews.

“It’s a relay. There are so many variables and these things happen. It is what it is,” Hale told Channel 7.

Browning finished sixth in the individual 100m final, falling just 0.06 seconds short of a bronze medal at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.

It was the closest Australia has got to winning a medal in the men’s blue ribbon event since Matt Shirvington’s lightning time of 10.03 still wasn’t enough for him to get a medal at the 1998 Games.

Australia has never won a medal in the men’s event since the Commonwealth Games changed the distance to 100m in 1970. Now we have to wait at least four more years.

.

Categories
Sports

NRL news 2022: Positive Covid-19 test cartridge throws press conference into disarray, Manly vs Eels score

NRL news 2022: Positive Covid-19 test cartridge throws press conference into disarray, Manly vs Eels score

Friday evening’s press conference at 4 Pines Park was thrown into disarray after a positive Covid-19 RAT test was found in the venue’s designated media room.

The Parramatta Eels defeated the Manly Sea Eagles 36-20 in the Round 21 contest, with winger Maika Sivo scoring a double for the visitors.

But after the final siren, Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans opted not to conduct a post-match press conference after reporters discovered a positive RAT cartridge in the media room.

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Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler’s interview went ahead as planned, but Eels mentor Brad Arthur played it safe and conducted his press conference in the hallway outside the toilets.

Meanwhile, Parramatta’s players refused to do interviews after the game to avoid any risk of being exposed to the deadly virus.

News Corp’s Martin Gabor tweeted: “Drama at 4 Pines Park. A positive RAT was found in the post match press conference room. Des Hasler did his press conference but DCE played it safe. Eels are concerned and it looks like their presser will be delayed and moved.”

AAP’s Scott Bailey posted: “Absolute shambolic scenes at Brookvale. Positive RAT cartridge sitting in the designated press conference room. None of the journalists behind it. DCE opted out of presser while Brad Arthur moved his outside and no Eels players spoke as a result.”

The positive RAT test was later removed by an NRL official. It remains unclear where the cartridge came from.

It was a back-and-forth affair at 4 Pines Park on Friday, with Manly taking a lead 20-14 after the halftime break.

But the Eels fightback began in spectacular fashion as winger Waqa Blake, playing his 150th game, dived for the corner to score a stunning try in the 55th minute.

Latching onto a perfectly-directed lofted pass from young teammate Jakob Arthur, the Eels flyer lunged and somehow managed to ground the ball with his knees inches from the turf in touch.

It proved to be the turning point for the Eels, who scored three late tries to blow the Sea Eagles away and leave Manly’s season on life support.

“It was a big moment wasn’t it?” Eels coach Arthur told reporters after the 16-point victory.

“It really got us back in the hunt. Good for Jake’s confidence too.

“Really pleased for Waqa, he’s the sort of player that doesn’t get a lot of accolades but he just competes at every contest for us. He’s had some injuries over the last couple of years but he always works the hardest to get back on the field.”

With four games remaining in the regular season, the Sea Eagles are now four points out of the top eight in 10th place on the NRL ladder, while the Eels have moved into fifth on 28 competition points.

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