Silverwood's reputation will be at the same low level it was before this incident after this incident.

Did you miss the link earlier in the thread to Sliverwood's previous suspensions by the RFL? Have a read of this rlhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/14995646rl

You are not concerned about Hardaker's reputational damage because of past indiscretions yet very concerned about Silverwood's reputation despite his equally poor track record.

I'll take the opinion of the other Senior (Keith) about Silverwood that he publicly stated after a WCC a few years ago. He's an appalling referee and if this latest furore leads to him finding some other form of employment the game will be better for it. He, like Hardaker, is clearly an idiot with a rap sheet. However, at least Hardaker is very, very good at what he does.

If Silverwood is as bad as you claim then he should have been replaced by superior referees. The fact that he's refereed some of the biggest games in the country suggests he is no way as bad as you claim.



I give the benefit of the doubt for Zak in regard to this incident and I give the benefit of the doubt to Silverwood as well. The fact that Silverwood MAY HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG and yet people are wishing for him to be forced out of RL is utterly disgusting.

Zak can survive the fallout from this because he is clearly rated so highly as a player. Even if he did it he'll pretty much be excused by most Leeds fans. As I've said many times before, I think his offence is minor anyway and disagree with the nonsense it's created.

But referees are pretty much hate figures by default anyway. But Leeds Rhinos have pretty much caused you and a few other Leeds fans to wish for his removal from RL simply on the basis of the Leeds statement. If that statement wasn't made by GH there's no way you'd be calling right now for Silverwood to go and you know it.

If Silverwood has lied about hearing something and it's proven then he's pretty much done. And he'll deserve it. But it is only the Leeds Rhinos comments which have people question that.

IMO Hardaker's offence, even if he did do it as suggested, is a pathetically trivial offence that I think is being overblown. But I am pretty much disgusted by the way Leeds have singled out Silverwood so publicly when he might be completely innocent. If Silverwood is innocent of any wrongdoing I'd be tempted to walk from RL if I was him. And if he goes I'd hope that the rest of the top refs go with him.

You can blame Leeds, but considering they took their time with their statement it's clear they tried to gather the facts from the RFL's side of things.

If they're saying Silverwood has claimed to have heard something then it's most likely been because the RFL has told them that whilst discussing the details of the case.

If anybody has put Silverwood in the line of fire it's the RFL not Leeds.

They've possibly hung Silverwood out to dry, they've definately hung Hardaker out to dry.

Leeds rushed to the press? They waited days, took advice then released a statement. God he talks garbage

Its simple really - If the person who was allegedly on the receiving end of any comment does not take offence and/or does not wish to press charges then the matter should be dropped

People use all types of language in 'heated' situations and most normal people will understand the difference between a heat of the moment comment or an offensive 'phobic' based comment

The action of employing a lip reader when there has not been an official complaint is, in my book, an over reaction and definitly a bullying tactic employed by the RFL.

Perhaps we should make a complaint regarding the clear discrimination that the RFL are practicing on Zak??

The RFL confirmed that they were investigating the incident on the 2nd September. Leeds released their statement on the 3rd September.

The game took place on the 29th August. Leeds knew that night that Hardaker was being accused but they remained silent on the issue, even though they knew about the storm surrounding it, until accusing the RFL of a witch hunt.

The RFL merely confirmed they were investigating the incident on the 2nd. Seeing as the RFL have almost certainly received complaints and will have seen the forum talk on the issue they were duty bound to investigate it. If Hardaker didn't say "effing puff" that night then a proper investigation could quickly look at the facts and evidence and conclude that there is no case to answer. But Leeds have pretty much gone to war with the RFL and are questioning why an investigation is even taking place.

That's BS.

For one thing someone might say in the press that they don't want an issue taken any further while behind the scenes they could be threatening serious consequences if action isn't taken. That is what seems to have happened over the Ferdinand/John Terry case.



I think most oppo fans will be saying that the incident should be investigated. Most Leeds fans seem to be wanting Zak left alone.



You only have the statement from Leeds to know they are employing a lip reader. You do not know what complaints the RFL have received. The most blatant example of bullying tactics is the statement from Leeds.



We pretty much have. But it's a lame argument when we've all seen the video and know that there was an incident. If he was innocent then we wouldn't fear an investigation because he'd be cleared. We don't seem to want an investigation taking place.

You really need to wake up and get yourself out of the hole you are digging.

To be fair, had it been the first time this had happened, I kind of understand the situation you are wanting, but that is exactly what happened the first time it did happen. What we have now is different, under different circumstances, following different rules, no microphone pick up of what was said, and because it is happening again in such a short time the public perception is very different. Because of it happening again should be exactly why the RFL in changing their own procedures, should have at the very least have kept things private. Why you seem incapable of understanding all that I do not know.

What I find so strange about you view, is that can you image had Keith Senior still been playing in what appears this modern game. There were not many who gave cheap shots, sledging, abuse to refs, etc, as much as him. What would his reputation be like today. The main party innocent in this is the player, yet you seem to want to somehow allude to him been the problem.

Leeds haven't gone to war with the RFL, they have defended the position of the player quite clearly (which is something the RFL should also have taken into account), and questioned what the RFL are doing in going against their own systems to answer to a social media campaign, without any proof to warrant such a change. All organisations are there to be questioned, if it's members feel something is not right. Like I said, look at the first incident against Wire, and how the player, the club, and the RFL handled it, where the proof was there straight away, not only by a microphone pick up but by the player himself saying exactly what he said straight away. It has been done right before. This time it is not right, and the club not only needed to set the position straight for the player, but for the players family (an area you just completely disregard).

Like what changes? Getting his tats lasered?
as for his bird, yes shes in NYC, for work, a lot. Meanwhile he spend his time tweeting other girls. The joys of social media eh?

Ben Cockaine "turned his life around" after stomping on someones head, he went on to be an EDL pin up and being a facebook racisit.

I'm assuming that a pro sports players shouting on tv in front of a worldwide audience to another player the homophobic insult is wrong??????

ITS WRONG

I did not mention Zak in that post

I SAID THE RFL HAD TO INVESTIGATE COS THE SLAGGING OFF IS WRONG IN TODAYS SOCIETY

Lets also get told what went on at the World Cup.

penny is starting to drop

So if the entire Hull squad and ground on the 12th targed JJB with slurs on his looks and beard you'd all be ok if JJB was?

But Senoir escaped a drugs ban