Horse racing betting bans
• The four men convicted of breaching the British Horseracing Authority (BHA)’s Rules of Racing last month have received bans of between six months and eight years. Towcester racecourse chief executive Kevin Ackerman and jockey Michael Stainton are to appeal, having been disqualified from racing for six months and two years respectively. They were found guilty of committing corrupt or fraudulent practices following a BHA disciplinary panel hearing. Ackerman was also fined £5,000, while registered owner Kenneth Mackay was excluded for six months and fined £5,000, and former owner David Greenwood, who had a prior record, was banned for eight years.

Chris Cairns perjury trial update
• Former New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent has admitted he was involved in match-fixing in the Indian Cricket League (ICL). While giving evidence in the Chris Cairns perjury trial at Southwark Crown Court, Vincent claimed he was acting under ‘direct orders’ from his captain, Cairns. Vincent said he turned down an offer of cash and a prostitute, to which the former New Zealand captain responded, ‘You work for me now.’ The jury were also told that Vincent was once threatened with a cricket bat by Cairns after scoring too many runs in a fixed ICL game.

New Zealand horse racing costs
• The Judicial Control Authority (JCA) for Racing in New Zealand has awarded thoroughbred trainer and former jockey Kevin Morton costs of NZD$13,000 (€7,680). The ruling comes as Mr Morton’s criticisms and comments directed at two New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing officers were deemed to have been within permitted limits. Morton faced four charges from New Zealand’s Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) – two for uttering abusive and insulting language, and two alternative misconduct charges. The RIU was also ordered to pay the JCA NZD$7500 (€4,430) towards its costs for the hearing. The RIU said that it was ‘disappointed’ in the decision and that it would ‘continue to investigate complaints and lay charges in support of officials.’

Algerian footballer second doping test failure
• The Algerian Professional Football League (LFP) has announced that footballer Mohamed Youcef Belaïli, who plays for USM Alger (USMA), has tested positive on a second occasion, after consuming a prohibited product. Belaïli had already tested positive at a match on 7 August between USMA and MC El Eulma, for which he received a two-year doping ban from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). In the most recent incident, the LFP confirmed that Belaïli’s infringement occurred after a match on 19 September between USMA and CS Constantine. Local media have reported that the footballer could face a four-year ban, in accordance with FIFA Anti-Doping regulations.