Subscriber OnlySport

Novak Djokovic awaits his Australian Open fate; Paul Mannion not eyeing Dubs return

The Morning Sports Briefing: Keep ahead of the game with ‘The Irish Times’ sports team

Novak Djokovic was confined to this immigration detention hotel in Melbourne on Thursday as he awaits a court ruling on whether he can compete in the Australian Open later this month. Photograph: Hamish Blair/AP
Novak Djokovic was confined to this immigration detention hotel in Melbourne on Thursday as he awaits a court ruling on whether he can compete in the Australian Open later this month. Photograph: Hamish Blair/AP
Fri Jan 07 2022 - 07:37

As Novak Djokovic awaits his Australian Open fate in a Melbourne immigration hotel ahead of a legal challenge against Australia's decision to cancel his visa, Johnny Watterson explains why the lateral flow of time will expose his anti-vaxxer crusade. "His standalone off-court gift to the world has become less tennis and more big cheese with creepy sideshow trying to muscle his unvaccinated bag of bones into a country that doesn't want him. It could prove to be his enduring image. The lateral flow of time will show that lacking self-awareness or kindred spirit has a corrosive effect on legacy." Read that piece in full here. In her column this morning, Lisa Fallon recalls how having to quarantine in another country no walk in the park.

The English Football Association (FA) is to proceed with a plan to use VAR at only nine of 32 FA Cup third-round fixtures, believing the benefits of using the technology outweigh inconsistency in the way ties could be decided. Tonight Swindon Town host Premier League leaders Manchester City, kick-off is at 8pm. Ed Woodward will step down as Manchester United's executive vice-chairman on February 1st, with Richard Arnold, the group managing director, to replace him as the club's chief executive. St Patrick's Athletic have entered a partnership involving two international sports companies and several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, which is aimed at developing young footballing talent in Pakistan.

Armagh produced a sting in the tail to overcome Dr McKenna Cup hosts Cavan at a Siberian-like Kingspan Breffni Park 1-11 to 0-12 last night. Kilmacud Crokes marksman Paul Mannion has revealed he is not planning on a Dublin return this year. The six-time All-Ireland winner says manager Dessie Farrell has left the door open for a comeback.

Meanwhile, Robbie Dunne has seven days to appeal against a finding that he subjected his fellow rider Bryony Frost to a prolonged and deliberate campaign of bullying and harassment following the publication on Thursday of the three-person panel's written reasons for their decision.