Homophobia is looked upon very differently now than it ever has been before. It falls in line with racism at schools, it's taken [ithat[/i seriously!

It's not like the 1990s and earlier anymore when calling someone a "ing puff" is a bit of a laugh to imply he's not hard. It is seen as just as offensive as calling someone a "dirty Paki". It really is looked upon that seriously.

faux outrage everywhere

It's not faux outrage though, is it? Lots of people are offended by homophobic behaviour/insults.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/29051607 Gary Hetherington really is a grade A bellend.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/29051607 Gary Hetherington really is a grade A bellend.

Just a gentle reminder that Hardaker is innocent until proved guilty. So everbody on this thread should wait until he is cleared or found guilty.
Then feel free to be outraged or rejoice as the case is concluded.

I suspect the issue here is that Uncle Gary has a problem. Leeds Building Society are not going to be too happy to see a player wearing a shirt advertising their magnificent institution, whilst also being charged with homophobic behaviour (for a second time). Their marketers will be concerned about their brand being damaged by association.

I am not an apologist for Hardaker. I think he is two slices short of a loaf and, if he is guilty, and it is yet to be proved, then he deserves everything he gets but I would like to know what Flanagan did to ignite the incident.
It wasn't clear on the TV coverage but he certainly appeared to be interfering with Hardaker's leg in a way that caused an immediate reaction. Why do people who cause these situations slip under the radar and the person who reacts cop the punishment?

No such thing as bad advertisement !

I think you will find that if the RFL have to investigate an incident during a match then that should be done on the quiet and a players name should not be released. Point proven by their comment now about not commenting on an active investigation.

Zak blew a kiss no questions, offensive NO.

Mark Flanigan has apparently heard nothing being shouted, the ref has now added to his report there might be something, so therefore could not have heard anything either.

To employ a lip reader to try and find out what was said that is a total joke, will they now sit next to the video ref on every game just in case a player swears. Social media is generating this witch hunt.

This investigation should have been done behind closed doors, I hope the person in the RFL who released Zak's name is disciplined.

I think that the word you're searching for is publicity and yes there is contrary to the saying in question

This is true, but I would speak up for Hetherington here, he is big on how Leeds players behave and treat people. I lived in Leeds for a number of years and often out and about you would see some of their players, they were always very polite and courteous with people, behaved fantastically and were well aware of their image in the Leeds area as representing the Rhinos brand. Not like some of the rowdy behaviour you will hear about from players in other towns.

Hetherington has also been hard on shifting players out for disciplinary reasons - effectively he scuppered Leeds' 2006 season when they went in to the year a prop light and before the season started with little time to sign a replacement he sacked Danny Ward knowing that in rugby terms that didn't make sense.

So I think if Hetherington really thought Hardaker was a repeat offender here he would have been severely reprimanded in house. The fact that Hetherington has come out and called for an independent investigation suggests something has gone on where he thinks there is more than meets the eye and Hardaker is being targeted here because mud sticks and he's been accused of it once.

So lets see what does come out of it. It's all very well condemning homophobia and saying it's bad, that's right, but if we're going to link Hardaker to it we need to know he's really guilty of the crime and not just being set up here. As someone says earlier, he's a Yorkshire lad, called Zak, covered in tattoos, so easy to stereotype him as 'that type'.

Seriously? Hardaker has been disciplined at Leeds once before and sent home from playing for his country ffs.

Notwithstanding these homophobic incidents.

If Hetherington is such a disciplinarian why is Hardaker still employed?

Blimey is this the straw Leeds fans are clutching? I suppose you think it was wrong that Joel Moon was named for the disciplinary investigation of an alleged shoulder charge in the same game too?

Oh and all that the no comment remark shows is that the rfl are competent enough to not divulge any more details than is necessary - aka what they are investigating.

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