Zak in trouble?

Quote: G1 "Firstly, there is no direct evidence yet about what words were said. All those assuming they know what was said by watching the clip would do well to watch the youtube clip I posted on the first couple of pages.

Secondly, if he has said the term that is being bandied about then it's not very nice. However, language and offence caused by language is an absolute minefield.

For example, the Cambridge dictionary defines the term "faggot" as

"a gay man. This word is considered offensive when it is used by people who are not gay" rlhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/faggot_1?q

Now, leaving aside any issues about whether it's acceptable for one demographic to have free use of a word whilst others can't, the term "fag" is often widely used by homosexuals particularly those who proudly have a "fag hag". Does anybody accusing Zak know his sexual preferences? If Zak likes to "take it in the mudwhistle" (urban dictionary definition of faggott) rlhttps://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term he's got free reign to call anyone on the pitch that, apparently. Like I Said, minefield.

I very much doubt any Warrington players were offended by what it is alleged was said. I very much doubt the referee was offended as he took no action and, AFAIK didn't put in his report. So, we know someone, somewhere watched a video and was, apparently, offended. Well, it turns out I am fat and bald. The next time someone on television uses the words "fat" or "bald" should I take offence? Stevo often takes stick on super league broadcasts for his bald head. Should the RFL be policing that?

Maybe everyone should grow the f*ck up and realise people, all of us, have silly little prejudices and say things that perhaps we shouldn't be and that is just human nature. Zak has not, AFAIK, allowed any alleged prejudices to influence his actions to the detriment of others. He's not persecuted a minority group. It's alleged he said a potentially derogatory term to someone on a rugby pitch in the heat of battle. Big frikkin deal.'"

I think all this is irrelevant. I think the the question is do we want the image of RL to be one where Homophobic language goes unpunished. Do we allow peoples 'silly little prejudices' to exclude others, and do we want potential fans, players and sponsors to think that our game excludes homosexuals, allows homophobia to be expressed freely within it and go unpunished. Do you we want a 15/16/17 year old kid struggling with his sexuality to think this game isnt for him?

Lets not pretend we exist in some progressive nirvana and fat, bald, ginger are the same as homophobic slurs. We have plenty of fatties, plenty of baldies, and even some gingers playing pro RL We have 0 openly homosexual players in our pro game. Statistically we should have at least 30 or 40. Perhaps some gay people dont like being called faggots, dont like seeing others being called faggots and dont want to be involved in a game where a high profile young player (if true) can throw around homophobic slurs, or a game where people can't tell the difference between a word used to bully, attack, discriminate against homosexuals and generic terms of abuse.

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