Howe of Fife - SRU press release

[Big D]

Scottish Rugby has today published details of the sanctions applied by an independent discipline panel following an incident which occurred on a Howe of Fife team bus last season.

The club’s former Head Coach and former President have each been suspended from any involvement in rugby coaching, officiating or administration for a year for failing to exercise reasonable and proper control over the players under their supervision.

Two Howe players have been suspended from playing for two seasons for their part in the incident. Twelve other Howe players received shorter playing bans, of between 6 and 8 weeks.

Howe of Fife as a club will be required to ensure all office bearers, trustees, directors and players over the age of 18 attend a series of leadership workshops to improve the club’s culture. A fine has also been applied against the club.

Details of the sanctions involved are available on Scottish Rugby’s website here.

Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive Mark Dodson said: “The behaviour of those involved in this incident, including several individuals in positions of authority at the club, was completely unacceptable.

“Scottish Rugby has been proactive to ensure a full, independent disciplinary process was conducted and that measures are put in place to deliver a change of culture at the club.

“The actions of those involved have absolutely no place in our sport. Significant sanctions have been applied in this matter and Scottish Rugby will not hesitate to take action against any club, official or player behaving in a similarly unacceptable manner.”

[Which Tyler]

What the hell were they doing thinking that that initiation ceremony is acceptable in this day and age?
Quite honestly, I'm amazed that this kid is the first to be harmed like this (if he is).

[OptimisticJock]

Scottish Rugby has today published details of the sanctions applied by an independent discipline panel following an incident which occurred on a Howe of Fife team bus last season.

The club’s former Head Coach and former President have each been suspended from any involvement in rugby coaching, officiating or administration for a year for failing to exercise reasonable and proper control over the players under their supervision.

Two Howe players have been suspended from playing for two seasons for their part in the incident. Twelve other Howe players received shorter playing bans, of between 6 and 8 weeks.

Howe of Fife as a club will be required to ensure all office bearers, trustees, directors and players over the age of 18 attend a series of leadership workshops to improve the club’s culture. A fine has also been applied against the club.

Details of the sanctions involved are available on Scottish Rugby’s website here.

Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive Mark Dodson said: “The behaviour of those involved in this incident, including several individuals in positions of authority at the club, was completely unacceptable.

“Scottish Rugby has been proactive to ensure a full, independent disciplinary process was conducted and that measures are put in place to deliver a change of culture at the club.

“The actions of those involved have absolutely no place in our sport. Significant sanctions have been applied in this matter and Scottish Rugby will not hesitate to take action against any club, official or player behaving in a similarly unacceptable manner.”

See.... Fallon wasn't all that bad.

[Big D]

What the hell were they doing thinking that that initiation ceremony is acceptable in this day and age?
Quite honestly, I'm amazed that this kid is the first to be harmed like this (if he is).

It's a club in same region as one I'm involved in.

My understanding is it got out of hand and no one including office bearers who were on the bus stepped in.

The punishments are well deserved and to be honest they are lucky the SRU staggered their players bans.

[Stones of granite]

What the hell were they doing thinking that that initiation ceremony is acceptable in this day and age?
Quite honestly, I'm amazed that this kid is the first to be harmed like this (if he is).

It's a club in same region as one I'm involved in.

My understanding is it got out of hand and no one including office bearers who were on the bus stepped in.

The punishments are well deserved and to be honest they are lucky the SRU staggered their players bans.

Are there still legal proceedings pending?

[Big D]

What the hell were they doing thinking that that initiation ceremony is acceptable in this day and age?
Quite honestly, I'm amazed that this kid is the first to be harmed like this (if he is).

It's a club in same region as one I'm involved in.

My understanding is it got out of hand and no one including office bearers who were on the bus stepped in.

The punishments are well deserved and to be honest they are lucky the SRU staggered their players bans.

Are there still legal proceedings pending?

Not sure I think there may have been "direct measures" rather than court proceedings. I imagine the SRU let those proceedings play out 1st.

Howe are incredibly lucky the 12 player suspensions aren't all at the same time.

[Stones of granite]

It's a club in same region as one I'm involved in.

My understanding is it got out of hand and no one including office bearers who were on the bus stepped in.

The punishments are well deserved and to be honest they are lucky the SRU staggered their players bans.

Are there still legal proceedings pending?

Not sure I think there may have been "direct measures" rather than court proceedings. I imagine the SRU let those proceedings play out 1st.

Howe are incredibly lucky the 12 player suspensions aren't all at the same time.

I had heard rumours of Police involvement and possible criminal chargers, but no more than rumours.
A number of kids that I used to coach ended up at Howe, so it was naturally distressing to hear about it.

ETA: The penny has just dropped on the "direct measures".

[AL.]

Bottle up the harris apparently....

[Stones of granite]

Bottle up the harris apparently....

Harris deny all involvement

[rowan]

Legal proceedings must surely follow. You don't allow Hollywood to deal with its Weinsteins internally, and this is not solely a rugby matter.

[Stones of granite]

Legal proceedings must surely follow. You don't allow Hollywood to deal with its Weinsteins internally, and this is not solely a rugby matter.

The legal proceedings have been concluded.

[Big D]

Legal proceedings must surely follow. You don't allow Hollywood to deal with its Weinsteins internally, and this is not solely a rugby matter.

As with all incidents of potential criminal offences the sporting body will not act until any criminal proceedings are dealt with. Especially important and the sporting body threshold of guilt will be less than the criminal system and they can't be seen to influence the case.

[Edinburgh in Exile]

Jesus... Scottish Rugby not exactly showering itself in glory recently.

[rowan]

Legal proceedings must surely follow. You don't allow Hollywood to deal with its Weinsteins internally, and this is not solely a rugby matter.

As with all incidents of potential criminal offences the sporting body will not act until any criminal proceedings are dealt with. Especially important and the sporting body threshold of guilt will be less than the criminal system and they can't be seen to influence the case.

Thanks for the clarification.

[Big D]

Legal proceedings must surely follow. You don't allow Hollywood to deal with its Weinsteins internally, and this is not solely a rugby matter.

As with all incidents of potential criminal offences the sporting body will not act until any criminal proceedings are dealt with. Especially important and the sporting body threshold of guilt will be less than the criminal system and they can't be seen to influence the case.

Thanks for the clarification.

They decided to deal with it by "direct measures" which keeps it out of court and means a fine/community service I believe.

An example of differing thresholds for guilt is the zeke Elliot case in the nfl. Police find no case to answer but nfl find him guilty and (try to) ban him.

[OptimisticJock]

Legal proceedings must surely follow. You don't allow Hollywood to deal with its Weinsteins internally, and this is not solely a rugby matter.

No shit Sherlock that'll be why it's already concluded.

[rowan]

The report I read implied there was an attempted rape with an instrument and internal injuries (presumably related). Violence against women is certainly deplorable and cowardly, but sex-related crime tends to be treated with a little more gravity by the authorities, and is certainly more stigmatic. It can no more be dealt with internally and otherwise brushed aside than can anything happening in Hollywood right now.

[Stones of granite]

The report I read implied there was an attempted rape with an instrument and internal injuries (presumably related). Violence against women is certainly deplorable and cowardly, but sex-related crime tends to be treated with a little more gravity by the authorities, and is certainly more stigmatic. It can no more be dealt with internally and otherwise brushed aside than can anything happening in Hollywood right now.

Well, what a relief that it wasn't.

[rowan]

Oh, so the police dealt with it by direct measures to keep it out of court? I misread that initially. Anyway, sad to hear about this incident and let's hope the victim makes a full and speedy recovery.

[Big D]

Oh, so the police dealt with it by direct measures to keep it out of court? I misread that initially. Anyway, sad to hear about this incident and let's hope the victim makes a full and speedy recovery.

Some reports aren't clear on it but the incident happened last September.

[rowan]

September last year, yes. It's taken a while to come to light then, and I can't help but think there's been a bit of a cover up initially, and now this furious battering with a feather duster.

[Big D]

September last year, yes. It's taken a while to come to light then, and I can't help but think there's been a bit of a cover up initially, and now this furious battering with a feather duster.

No cover up at all. It was known about at the time. The wheels of justice just take a while to work. There were was a person given punishments by the authorities.

The SRU investigation has had to be far wider reaching and will only have begun when the police involvement has come to an end which was July.

The police case was against 1 person. The SRU case against 14+.

[rowan]

Thanks again. I've read a few other reports about it in the meantime and think I've got the full picture now.

[Big D]

It's partially his own fault but it's a shame Hornes time at Howe ended as it did. He's done a lot of good there.

So we've had Bradbury embarrass his maw now Horne disappointing his son's.

[kk67]

Jesus... Scottish Rugby not exactly showering itself in glory recently.

That's probably because they're aiming for the biscuit, Fella.
Sorry,....not a laughing matter. I'd just like to say I'm not Michael Gove and there is no £10.