Quins vs Bristol - The Small Game - 27th Dec

[padprop]

Theres also a precedent set if it doesn’t get punished. IE say whatever you want to opposition as long as its not too avertly bigoted (Although you could argue his comment was misogynistic and discriminatory to sex workers) and you get off scot-free without any punishment. It would be a popular thing to do as you’d most certainly get a penalty out of it if you hit the right nerve after potentially doing some research before the match.

I think realistically its a yellow card in a game if caught, but as said previously in the thread it had to be punished when made public so the game doesn’t go into disrepute.

[Which Tyler]

this probably wasn't the worst thing said on a rugby - or indeed any other - sports field last year.

It's not the worst thing he's been sanctioned for saying on a rugby pitch (remember, he's guilty of previous cases of racial abuse and sexual abuse).

The reason some people want a harsher sentence isn't necessarily that 2 weeks is too lenient, but that it's his 3rd offence, and that it's 67% reduction from the minimum sanction, when every other offence has a maximum reduction of 50% and that for first offences.

[paddy no 11]

While Marler's "I'm a witty character" act is becoming seriously tedious, and while very low-rent...this probably wasn't the worst thing said on a rugby - or indeed any other - sports field last year.

As Mikey Brown asks, where does precedent start or end?

The ref is arbiter of the game, if he hears something he can penalise it as he sees fit, its no can of worms

[FKAS]

As Mikey Brown asks, where does precedent start or end?

Misogyny, stigmatising sex workers - who are already a fairly marginalised group of people, and having a pop at a cancer patient? I mean, it's pretty fucking low.

I mean "your mum's a whore" is what he said, twice. Wasn't repeated after Heenan said his mum was in hospital. Storm in a tea cup. Plenty worse gets said I'm sure, including by Marler. Marler apologised and took his ban.

[Adam_P]

According to Heenan, the whole thing started because Marler kicked him on the ground at the previous ruck. What a card he is!

This also paints a worse picture for Dickson than his claims of just being deaf. Surely he shouldn't be allowed to ref Quins? Same country refs aren't allowed in internationals so I don't see why the same shouldn't apply to ex club members in the domestic game.

[Spiffy]

As Mikey Brown asks, where does precedent start or end?

Misogyny, stigmatising sex workers - who are already a fairly marginalised group of people, and having a pop at a cancer patient? I mean, it's pretty fucking low.

I mean "your mum's a whore" is what he said, twice. Wasn't repeated after Heenan said his mum was in hospital. Storm in a tea cup. Plenty worse gets said I'm sure, including by Marler. Marler apologised and took his ban.

Marler has form. His apology means nothing. As for his ban, he has no choice but to take it. It's quite lenient anyway.
Q: Can players be fined for this kind of thing? If not, the introduction of large fines and the prospect of losing hard cash might help to shut up Marler and his ilk (though this would probably be too difficult to police and apply.)

[FKAS]

Marler was fined for comment to Samson Lee, £20k if I remember right so there is very much scope for handing out fines. That was a good deal worse.

Spiffy, most front row have form for insulting each other and the opposition. Some go further than others. They aren't asking after each others pets when they go into a scrum with their mouths going. I don't think Marler massively regrets insulting the opposition more than he just regrets saying to Heenan given Heenan's circumstances at the time. Had he known Heenan's mother was unwell then I suspect he'd have dispensed a different insult.

I'd be interested to see the ruck before, if there was a kick that would have been some additional weeks and the committee would have really struggled to find a way to end the ban before the 6N.

[Which Tyler]

RFU report: https://www.englandrugby.com/dxdam/e1/e ... tDec22.pdf


Brian Moore: https://archive.ph/m80y2

[Sandydragon]

RFU report: https://www.englandrugby.com/dxdam/e1/e ... tDec22.pdf


Brian Moore: https://archive.ph/m80y2

Moore makes some interesting points in there, although I'd suggest that sledging is perhaps far more common in the lower divisions where many forwards are walking around the pitch and do have some spare breath. I have heard a number of sledging incidents in my playing career (but perhaps more from the spectators in all honesty).

But, professional sportsmen are role models and should be held to a higher standard than your pub XV prop forward. Marler knows what he is doing and wants to get a reaction. Its not sporting and its not good for the image of the game so I agree that a ban is appropriate. And since Marler has a history of this, at some point surely his employer must make it clear that the cheeky chappie image is getting old and perhaps its time to act like an adult.

[Mellsblue]

No defence of what he’s saying or him being punished, I just have no idea where the precedent starts, or ends.

Tabai Matson agrees with you:
“I hope that Joe wasn’t made a scapegoat, and a clear mandate comes down from above,” Matson said. “I think if you put an audio-catcher next to the Premiership games next week, we would all be sorely disappointed. It is a can of worms.”