...interesting. Presumably there is insufficient evidence to prove that Hock has broken the laws of this country, otherwise he would be prosecuted for same. But Sports Governing bodies don't ban players for, say, drink-driving, or for tax fraud. And taking pseudoephadrine is not illegal, but that would get Hock the same ban, as it's a prescribed substance. I see where you're coming from, but I don't think this argument holds.




I'm sure if Hock has turned up at Wiggin under the influence of drugs, he'd have been dismissed. In the automotive game, the implications of taking drugs are such that it could lead to the deaths of colleagues or bystanders, so again, I'm not convinced the analogy works. There is a wider question about how far a employer's rights extend into the private lives of its staff (qv the recent discussion as to whether medical staff can be disciplined for smoking publically while in uniform but not in work). But again, that's not at issue. Hock doesn't face sanction from his employer, but from the governing body of the sport. If Wigan terminate his contract, it will be because he cant fulfil the obligation to play, not directly because of his failed drug test, one assumes.

None of this is to excuse someone breaking the rules. But neither does it demand or justify a witch-hunt. There are rules, it seems he broke them, if he did there are punishments that will be implemented. Nuff said.

Because its loads and loads of fun, so I'm told

(and, no, I have no first hand experience. But I've been drunk, and I enjoyed that. Mostly).

All the kids you see with Ronaldo etc on there football shirt backs actually see him as a hero, whatever he does is what they want to do/ be associated with (thus why Beckham made more money out of marketing than his football skills).

Hock taking the drug doesn't affect anyone but himself (of course you could argue its affected his club and its standing, the sport of RL etc , however i'd let you go with "no-one else effected"icon_wink.gif, unfortunatly for those of us who have no wish to be associated with ANY illegal drug taker (recreational or otherwise) Hock BUYING the drug affects the entire country and beyond.

7/10 people in Leigh on drugs is a exceptionally high amount if true, one wonders how many people in Leigh are also victims of drug related crime directly or otherwise.

I'll never forget the time when on Boots N'all Andy Wilson referred to Hock as Gareth Cock. Freudian slip?

The Watcher would ban him for life,I dont want druggies or "thuggies" in our game.