G1 - I assume Zak has contacted you to conduct his defence if this goes to a Tribunal? Judging stereotypically from his tats etc I'd suggest you do all the talking.

Frankly I'd rather let the relevant authority's deal with the "alleged" abuse, rather than a bunch of amateur lip readers.

South Park has an episode called ""The F word" that deals with this furore quite aptly.

I'm also sure most folk can find an internet site called YouTube and put in BAD NFL LIP READING. Try it.

Before anyone starts either, I don't condone any abuse of any kind either, I just prefer to make up my own mind after seeing/hearing ALL the evidence.

No, it's not quite the same. One was a kid sticking 2 fingers up at the people who had been verbally abusing him and also booooood him whilst playing for his country. Silly thing to do and he rightly got fined.

The other is about an investigation that is taking place. IF found to be guilty is on a different level and will be very harshly dealt with. There is no doubt he said something which on the face of it appeared to be a homophobic term. That is for the people conducting the investigation to decide. IMO from the little evidence I have seen it is impossible to judge exactly what was said and who it was aimed at. The investigation will have access to several camera angles and expert lip readers to help them come to a conclusion.

For those who are blaze about the seriousness of the alleged incident and want to talk technicalities it could come under the category of 'Hate Crime' depending on what evidence is submitted and the statements of those involved. It could also be a storm in a tea cup. As RG said let the powers that be decide.

...and this is where you lose all credibility.

Yes Tomkins was boo'd while playing for England
Yes the game was played at Headingley
Yes the boo's came from the Southstand

But the Southstand was full of supporters from every (and I really mean every) team in the SL and a majority of the other professional clubs - not solely Leeds fans (thus proving that everyone hates Tomkins, not just Rhinos supporters).

So did Tomkins subsequently stick the V's up at every other teams supporters? No - just Leeds.

Speaking of Sam the sheepish hush on your board would reinforce the general opinion that he has had a very ordinary start to his NRL career. If he keeps turning the ball over coming out of traffic as he does week in week out it might be the warriors giving him the V's.

Oh no, not 'booooooo-ing' someone.

Fair enough, I should have wrote 'the people perceived to have booed'.

My points still stand, firstly to compare the two is laughable and they are on a very different level and secondly we have to let the powers that be deal with it as there is not enough evidence in the public domain to come to an informed conclusion.

The comparisons to work are pointless. I imagine I wouldn't get a penalty against me or one day ban if I gave a work colleague a high shot or shoulder charge.

Also I've read several people on the various threads about this subject say "I know a gay person who would be offended if someone called him a faggot"......ok I believe they would, but how about asking "are you offended that a RL player called another RL player a faggot whilst in the middle of a match?"....you know the thing that actually happened. I'm certain the number would be way lower.

Our new HR manager insisted that everyone sat through a half day diversity training recently. There was no cake - is there any jobs going at your place?

Does it? What is your authority for that statement?


I have done. He told me to stop being a fat, bald fag; get off Southstander and do some real work. It was me because, thank the lord above, I work in a place inhabited by intellectual grown ups who don't need an HR department, or any other department whose sole function is to tell us how to behave and think.

Interestingly, I do refer to my female colleagues as "my bitches" or "beeyatches". I'm not being offensive and they're not offended. Because it's all about context.

As you've quoted "it's the law" without providing any real authority I trust you understand that when it comes to language in the workplace intention is relevant towards the victim's feelings. Context is everything: Does the comment come out of the blue? Was it made during a heated argument? Did someone just overstep the line with a tasteless joke? All of the above could be relevant, it's not quite as black and white as you make it out to be.

I'd love to

are high shots or shoulder charges a part of your workday? If they arent, thats probably why you wouldnt get a ban for them and would likely be looking at an assault charge. Homophobic slurs are no more part of an RL match than they are an office job.

How about this for some questions we could ask, University of Cambridge did a survey for Stonewalls schools report 2 years ago. In that report 2/3rds of Gay People said they dont like team sports, often because of homophobic bullying on the pitch and in the changing rooms. In light of this, do you think it to be acceptable for a high profile player in a relatively high profile game to be filmed saying the words "fusking faggot"? Do you think that if said player were not to be punished this would send out a positive message to homosexuals about this game? Do you think it would make them feel welcomed or excluded?

Come and work at our place mate, we don't have HR! The directors openly say if we need HR they arnt doing their jobs. We have cake and beer!