Footballers’ association CEO, Brendan Schwab, has criticised the sport’s governing body over its handling of the Newcastle Jets.

Football Federation Australia has agreed to give short-term financial assistance, but the PFA says it’s legally obliged to guarantee the club’s long-term survival.

Byron Bay Surfer Kieran Perrow will fly out to Los Angeles tomorrow after being granted a wild card entry back into the ASP World Tour.

The 33-year-old thought his career was over after missing the revised cut off mark.

Football Federation Australia has announced it will provide short-term financial assistance to the Newcastle Jets.

For now at least, the squad can focus on preparing for a trip to Adelaide this weekend.

There’s been some consolation for the ousted Knights, with Kurt Gidley selected in the Kangaroos Four Nations’ train-on squad, while Jarrod Mullen and Akulia Uate made the Prime Minister’s XIII.

The team enjoyed Mad Monday festivities today, but starting tomorrow, Rick Stone and co will pick up the pieces of a season that promised plenty, but ended in disappointment.

Below is statement from FFA boss Ben Buckley, after a day of talks on the future of the financially stricken Newcastle Jets

Football Federation Australia today announced it would be providing short term
financial assistance to the Newcastle Jets whilst it continued to work with the club
to determine its long term future.

“There are a range of complex issues that we’re discussing with various stakeholders
and this will enable us to hold these discussions and at the same time take some
important immediate steps including ensuring players’ current entitlements are met,”
said CEO Ben Buckley.

“The Club has a proud history and great spirit evidenced not the least by the
players’ approach to the current issues and their strong performance on the weekend.

“I’d like to acknowledge the responsible approach the players have been taking and
assure supporters that the next couple of Jets’ Hyundai A-League games will go ahead
as planned.

“As well as providing the Club with an opportunity to address its current challenges
FFA’s interim support will also provide an opportunity for the local community to
come out and show its support for the future of the Club.”

The cream of Australian bowls is on show at Club Helensvale this week for the fourth annual “National Club 5 a Side Challenge”.

While all competitors are keen to take home $40,000 in prize money, a number of players are using it as final preparation for the Commonwealth Games.

A classic encounter in Newcastle rugby league, with Maitland overcoming Wests in extra time in this afternoon’s major semi.

The Pickers advance to the grand final, while the Rosellas will battle Cessnock for the other spot in the season decider.

Newcastle City has won its third straight Black Diamond AFL grand final, with a dominant display against old rival’s Cardiff this afternoon.

City lead at every break to claim its fourth flag in eight years.

The Central Coast Mariners picked up thier first home win of the A-league season after defeating the Melbourne Victory 2-0 at Bluetongue Stadium last night.

Goals on either side of the break was enough for Graham Arnold’s side to take all three points.

The Knights clash with the Storm in Melbourne this Sunday is technically a dead rubber, but try telling that to winger Kevin Naiqama.

The younger brother of fullback Wes will make his NRL debut, after Junior Sau was ruled out by a hamstring injury.

Football Federation Australia is yet to commit to providing any financial assistance to the Newcastle Jets, but the club is hoping its monetary situation will be resolved as early as tomorrow.

If players and staff fail to receive their wages for the second straight week, it could spell the beginning of the end.

Gold Coasters, Dean Morrison and Jay Thompson have both lost their places on the World Tour, after wiping-out in Round Three of the Teahupoo Pro.

Relegation could spell the end for Morrison who’s hinted, he won’t try to fight his way back onto the tour.

The waves have finally arrived in Tahiti for the surfing world tour event.

Luke Munro and Mick Fanning have led the Aussie charge at Teahupoo so far, with both through to the 3rd round.

Returning to tennis and Samantha Stosur reported no pain, just relief after surviving a first-round scare at the US Open in New York.

Stosur is now looking to progress beyond the second round at Flushing Meadows for the first time.

Sydney FC had something of win in the A-League late today with goalkeeper Liam Reddy cleared after being sent off against the Central Coast at the weekend.

Ruled at the time to have felled the Mariners’ Patricio Perez, Reddy was marched and the Coast scored the ensuing penalty, forcing a draw.

A short time ago though, the Football Federation Australia cleared Reddy and issued Perez a two-week suspension for simulation.

The NRL season is already over for Knights captain, Kurt Gidley who’s been ruled out of Newcastle’s last game of the season.

He requires minor surgery on his knee after injuring it against the Dragons and won’t make the trip to Melbourne.

The Knights will also be without fullback Shannon McDonnell, who has a hamstring problem.

Fringe Socceroo, Bruce Djite arrives on the Coast this Wednesday to link with an out-of-sorts United team.

Life without star-striker, Shane Smeltz hasn’t gone well, so far..

Miron’s men were humdrum in attack yesterday, and out-foxed by an organised Melbourne outfit.

A handful of very single-minded golfers have made their way to the Gold Coast for the Australian Long Drive championships.

The best have battled it out, to be crowned the country’s biggest hitter.

The Knights have received a huge boost on match day eve, with fullback Shannon McDonnell passed fit, and the club poised to retain Adam MacDougall for another year.

Newcastle has reopened negotiations with the veteran centre and another strong game tomorrow night could help seal the deal.

The Knights’ clash with the Dragons is likely to be a sell-out, with almost 21,000 tickets snapped up as of late this afternoon.

Coach Rick Stone is confident Shannon McDonnell can overcome a hamstring strain in time for the must-win game on Saturday.