The International Rules future of Peter Canavan and Jason Akermanis will be decided in the next few days, with both facing the prospect of one-match suspensions. Contrary to reports in Australia, Akermanis has not been let off with a reprimand and Canavan has not been suspended for next year's series after the pair were sent off for fighting in the second Test between Ireland and Australia in Croke Park last month

In the immediate aftermath, it was reported that the fate of each player would be a matter for their own association. The GAA authorities were supposed to have warned Irish players that anyone dismissed would be suspended for the 2001 series in Australia. The AFL was said to be taking a different tack with Akermanis, maintaining that a tribunal system should be introduced for future series.

"I think there needs to be some sort of disciplinary committee, maybe to look at suspending the players," said Gerard Healy, chairman of the Australian selectors, in the Herald Sun newspaper when the team returned to Australia.

In fact, Croke Park sources have confirmed that a disciplinary panel, with representatives from the GAA and the AFL, will meet shortly to consider the matter. Proceedings, which will be conducted by conference call, were due to take place on Monday but were postponed because the bad weather prevented Irish officials from convening them.

Conference calls are a common feature of disciplinary protocol in Australia, where vast distances between the AFL's Melbourne headquarters and many clubs make personal appearances impractical.

The GAA rejected the view that suspension for a whole series was the accepted sanction for players ordered off. But the official view is not encouraging for Canavan.

The standard procedure is that players sent off are given an opportunity to respond to the charge. That will be extended to both Canavan and Akermanis, who will both be present at the meeting. If the referee's decision is upheld, the players will automatically miss the next game.

There is a precedent for this. Last April one of the visiting Australian under-17s was ordered off during the first Test in Limerick. He was automatically suspended for the second Test but returned for the third.

Canavan's problem is that even a one-match ban would militate against his chances of being brought to Australia, as the senior series consists of only two Tests. The panel will be composed of two GAA nominees and the AFL's Director of Operations, Andrew Demetriou. The imbalance occurs because each year, the host country has the right to nominate a third member.

Pat Holmes is currently engaged in that Mayo manager's annual ritual, the delicate negotiation of player availability in the conflicting rivalry between club and county. Tom Jordan, manager of the county champions and current Connacht title-holders Crossmolina, is to meet Holmes this week. "We will have to see what is the best thing to do for both teams," he said.

Crossmolina have qualified for the provincial club final on Sunday week, against Aughavas or Corofin, and may withhold their inter-county players from this weekend's NFL fixture with Fermanagh - now managed by Holmes's predecessor and close friend, John Maughan.

Holmes already has selection difficulties with Pat Fallon taking a break and James Horan having retired from inter-county activity. If Crossmolina players withdraw, he will lose the services of James and Tom Nallen, Kieran McDonald, Peadar Gardner and Michael Moyles.