Isn't he also in the naughty corner with Leeds owing to the off season/ World Cup incidents? There was talk of him leaving Leeds after that, be interesting to see if the club follows through with their threats...

It wasn't the club threatening to sack Hardaker at all. It was Hardaker apparently not too happy with his punishment from Leeds so didn't sign an extended contract.

i think approaching it in terms of punishment might be a mistake. I would much rather Hardaker (if correct) learned why it was wrong, the effects it has and work to improve the situation than an X match ban.

Quote: Him "It wasn't the club threatening to sack Hardaker at all. It was Hardaker apparently not too happy with his punishment from Leeds so didn't sign an extended contract.'" www.therhinos.co.uk/news/21810.php#.U4zvDye9KSP As a result, the Club have issued him with a written warning and imposed a fine of £2,500. IF (and it's still an if at this stage guys) - surely that's another written warning (for "professionalism"icon_wink.gif in the space of 6 months - they can't give them out like tictacs!

Quote: Him "It wasn't the club threatening to sack Hardaker at all. It was Hardaker apparently not too happy with his punishment from Leeds so didn't sign an extended contract.'" www.therhinos.co.uk/news/21810.php#.U4zvDye9KSP As a result, the Club have issued him with a written warning and imposed a fine of £2,500. IF (and it's still an if at this stage guys) - surely that's another written warning (for "professionalism"icon_wink.gif in the space of 6 months - they can't give them out like tictacs!

I like the idea of him going on a course and seeing why his language is unacceptable. But the RFL need to hand out a heavy ban on this. A 3 game ban won't suffice. What message does it send out when we're rolling the media bandwagon out with all the good work the sport does in tackling rascism/sexism/homophobia etc then just gives a player a slap on the wrist when a player shouts homophobic abuse at an official. We constantly portray our game as a family game, but there's a couple of incidents happening in games, particularly at officials that shows anything but. Time for the RFL to take a stand and nip this in the bud. It will portray the sport in such a bad light if he gets a small ban. Incidents like this can do such damage to the games image if not dealt with severely. For me an absolute minimum of 6 games, but I'd give him 8 and send a clear message that we ARE a family game and any racist/sexist/homophobic language/abuse will not be tolerated and will be dealt with severely. I don't think the RFL have the spine for this.

True but there was still no threat whatsoever from Leeds after his England stupidity. As I said Leeds wanted to get him to sign an extended long term deal, that he knocked back because he was (at the time) unhappy at how Leeds punished him. He wasn't unhappy to play for Leeds or anything/looking to move, just that he wasn't minded to sign an extension yet. Though IIRC he's signed up until end of 2016.

Just been looking on the Leeds forum and it makes for some embarrassing reading. Picking through various 'excuses' and 'How do we know?' arguments. If that was Tomkins, or Koukash, or God forbid Hock they'd be calling for a lynch mob about now.

How about a little honesty from them?