Wednesday Lunch: FAI To Introduce Professional Contracts To SSE Airtricity Women's National League

GAA members face five year suspension for assaulting or striking a referee or match official

SOCCER

The FAI is to introduce professional contracts to the SSE Airtricity Women's National League.

From December 1st, players in the Women's National League will be subject to the same standard player contract and minimum wage regulations as men's players in the League of Ireland.

Clubs in the Women's National League will have no obligation to offer professional deals to players and clubs will have full-time or part-time professional players or amateur players depending on their circumstances.

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Groups C and D will be decided at the World Cup in Qatar today.

Defending champions France have already qualified from Group D, and they play Tunisia at 3pm.

Manager Didier Deschamps has to decide whether to rest star forward Kylian Mbappe.

Denmark know they must beat Australia in the other match, which also begins at 3 o'clock.

They last qualified for the last 16 sixteen years ago.

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In Group C, Poland and Argentina go head to head at 7pm, with Argentina's Lionel Messi hoping to maintain his World Cup dream.

Poland lead the Group, so top spot is in their hands, but the South Americans will be hopeful of topping the group with a win.

The other fixture is between Saudi Arabia and Mexico and the Saudis will qualify if they manage a victory.

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England manager Gareth Southgate says his squad are in a better place than four years ago as they prepare for the knockout stage.

England reached the semi final in 2018 and have qualified for the last 16 this time around as Group B winners.

Next up are Senegal on Sunday evening.

GAELIC GAMES

A 5 year ban is being proposed at the serious end of the scale for GAA members who breach association discipline.

A maximum suspension may come into place for assaulting or striking a referee or match official.

The Central Hearings Committee may also double bans if appeals are based on 'procedural or technical arguments' which are 'frivolous or vexatious'.

This is being proposed for counties and individuals to more readily accept punishments.

The new proposals are set to go to Congress next February.

HORSE RACING

Dundalk stages an 8 race card on the all weather from 2pm.