If we dig far enough, won't it turn out that most teams have players with a 'colourful' past? Unless the RFL ban people, then I have no problem with any player making a living, much like anyone else.

Well said. It seems that rehabilitation is not high on some people's list of priorities.

Okay, but sticking with a player is one thing, signing him while he's under investigation is another.

...

We have this at the Catalans with Bird, no, we ain't happy either.

Everyone must be perfect on Rlfans and never needed a second chance.

I suggest you try reading it again with glasses and not tinted specs.

I think that stepping in and deregistering players can work and it's the right thing to do in certain cases, where people are facing criminal charges for example. But it would be a joke if the RFL started acting like the NRL under David Gallop, who IMO seems to have made a complete hash of every one of those similar situations down under. There's probably only Todd Carney I can think of who's ultimately not just been allowed to switch teams and play on.

For me, it really must be the responsibility of the clubs involved - both dealing appropriately with 'troublesome' players and choosing not to sign those who admit to being complete thugs. Easy? - if they employ their consience!

The only way I can measure what's 'appropriate' action is to ask, surely if most of us were busted doing half the crap some of these guys get away with, we'd get the bloody sack?! I'm not saying I'm against giving second chances (or in the case of Leon, a third and fourth chance) but these blokes have to earn it.

One thing's for sure, there isn't a club in the land who at one stage or another (or for many years in most cases) hasn't knowingly employed these people, so nobody should be singling out either Hull club, or anyone else for that matter.

I don't agree with your first point. It's okay for the RFL to deregister people who have been convicted, but "facing criminal charges" is not a good reason. We presume innocence in this country and should legislate our sport in this way. (Though if they plead guilty that's another matter).

I agree that we shouldn't single out FC/KR, I do find it interesting that the topic has come up now, since us at sang-et-or went over this a while back. Interesting to see how views change if the player is an asset.

Article on this timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_league/

Article on this timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_league/

Where have i heard that one before?

Reardon isn't a "wife beater".

That makes no sense what-so-ever. Thats like saying, if my companies employee commits a crime as a share holder of that company I condone their actions.

ex-wife beater?

rlahemrl