I am 'friends' with a number of Wire players on Facebook and have noticed a few other RL players (some maybe bogus accounts!!!!) on there.

The question is should players private lives really be that accessible online?

Apparently Widnes fans are fuming because some of their players are commenting on their status' saying they want out of the club and are fed up of the abuse from the supporters.

Then we have (certain Wire players) with pictures of them out on the lash, which may get some fans backs up!

I wonder if Tony Smith (who hates all internet related stuff) will lay the law down and ban the Wire players from facebook? Thoughts?????

Private lives are as private as the players want them to be. What they do in their spare time shouldn't matter as long as they perform their job to the best of their ability.

Everybody is entitled to do what they like regarding social networks and it's also there decision if they decided to add fans as "Friends", some are bogus but others and i wont name any names are very genuine indeed. If they decided to update a status and it's controversial, then they have to suffer the consequences if it gets into the wrong hands or if the certain friend/fan is not happy with it. I agree that as long as there performing on the field that they can do what they like but ultimately the players are to blame for adding every man and his dog as a friend.

When you add them, they do not have to accept, therefor its ok if they accept. I have many Wigan players on facebook just out of interest but i have never had any problems with anything like this. Most players are chuffed to play for a club like Wigan.

All are permitted to do as they please regarding sites in the likes of fb & such, i guess it just depends how professional & personal people chose to keep it (especially players). To keep out of any controversy, it doesn’t require much common sense to not allow access to your profile, etc to anyone you don’t wish. If they chose to add comments & such that are sure to get a bad reaction – like everyone, they’d have to deal with it!

Whilst I accept they are free to do it, in my view, it is incredibly stupid and is asking for trouble. In fact, it's tantamount to booking a courier and sending it to see trouble with a big sign saying 'Hello Trouble, I am asking for you'.

Actually everyone isn't entitled to do what they like if an employer puts it in their terms of employment that an employee must not use the internet or social networking site to discuss anything to do with their work.
I know for a fact the local council have stopped all employees using discussion forums during work time.

They have also banned certain sectors from being on Facebook full stop in or out of work.

My work sent a memo round ages ago about being careful what you say but luckily for me i work with a load of old women who arent tech-savvy. Still wouldnt be stupid enough put something obviously slagging off work though.

On a side note i hear down the grapevine (not naming names) but a large DIY specialist has banned customers from using their toilets as "gloryholes" have been found in the mens cubicles and videos posted on a "tube of naughtyness".

It is up to the players; they are not public property although some people on here seem to forget that.

Correct, and looking at some of our players' profiles, that has been enforced at the club. Some don't even mention who their employer is, or what they do.

After the Chris Bridge debacle in pre-season, I'm not surprised

Which is the common sense & privacy part!!

Players being on facebook and adding their mates is fine, the rest of the world has facebook so they're no different. What I can't understand is why the players feel obliged to add these sad hangers on who want to add them as friends? They should just reject them.