Sorry, but the 5 year contract is factor. I don't know what his salary is, but as someone else stated, other clubs will have been in for him and Wigan will have known that, so the contract they offered will have had to have been improved otherwise he would not have benefited from signing it. Do you honestly believe he will have signed on reduced terms? But no-one cares about what he's done now, he's a top player who scores tries and that is all that matters. I reckon all these people who say he has served his time and deserves to be given a second chance wouldn't be as forgiving if their kid's maths teacher was caught doing recreational drugs in their spare time.

Just seen the tries, looks unstoppable when he gets a sniff of the line.

As has been said, had he been released by Wigan, another club would have snapped him up in an instant. Look at footballers who've been inside, if you're good enough, whatever the crime is, another club will sign you.

Are you including one of the Mona,s in all this.

Because however tragic that situation, Hock was banned for the use of recreational drugs, taken recreationally.

He did not 'cheat'.

And where does it say, in a player's contract, that they're "supposed to be a role model for kids"?

On that basis, they should all be banned from any drinking of alcohol – after all, we have a massive problem with binge drinking among young people in particular, don't we?

Goodness, if they're caught having sex with someone other than their spouse, they should be barred for life too – after all, we have a whopping issue with teenage parents, don't we?

Because they're "supposed to be a role model for kids", yes?

He was banned. He has completed that 'sentence' and he is back doing his job, which was not influenced by what he was banned for in the first place.

You reckon teachers don't do drugs?



What does it matter if a maths teacher snorts a line of coke now and then? As long as he/she does their job to the best of their ability, it's of no consequence whatsoever. I know 5 teachers looking after kids of various ages - only one of those, to my knowledge, doesn't occasionally do drugs of one form or another. Truth is, if you're out in any town or city on a night out, you're surrounded by people doing drugs - that will include teachers, doctors, nurses, firemen, social workers, sports people, etc, etc, etc.

I don't do drugs - I tried them as a teenager and found them pretty dull. But many of my friends in certain circles were hardened regular users, and several still scuttle off to the toilets at regular intervals on a night out. I think they're pretty sad, but it doesn't bother me, and neither is it my business.

Completely agree. The only issue for a sportsperson would be whether it impinged on performance in a negative way – exactly the same as if they turned up for training hungover etc. And that is an issue between themselves and their employer.

If you're comfortable with people doing drugs, particularly people who have such a big influence on kids, then that's your call. Personally, I'm not. I'm sure if these any of these 'teachers, doctors, nurses, firemen, social workers' were caught by the authorities, they wouldn't be given a second chance by their employers. Neither would I. But we know sports stars are treated differently as they have more value. I think drugs are illegal for a reason. But you're fine with drug use, so you won't be bothered either way.

this as got to be a wind up?

just read more posts,
it is, thank god for that. I was worried for a second a complete Moron had been let loose

Booze and tobacco?