The issue seems to be put on the game for enforcing the rules.

The rules are there for a reason.

It’s not the games responsibility to take accountability for the behaviour of its players.

It’s the responsibility of the players to take accountability for themselves and their actions or face the consequences.

The rules are in place, have been for some time, break the rules face the consequences.

Sledging is part of the game. There is a line though, if the line is crossed then take accountability and face the consequences.

Spot on.

Exactly. It all depends what was said.

Just because it's a tough sport doesn't mean we should allow certain things to be said.

what was said? if you dont know you cant comment.....

"Just the ref" makes it ok then?

Any wonder decent referees are choosing to walk away from the game.

If some of the things that have allegedly been said were said in the earshot of a police officer they may well have lead to the individual being arrested for an offence under the Public Order Act 1986.

Being a star player does not give you a free pass to say and do whatever you want without any consequences.

What was said is what an 8 year old would call another 8 year old in the play ground but apparently warrants an 8 game ban, same as what you’d get for sucker punching an unsuspecting victim, never realised calling someone a nasty name would warrant such a ban.

What Ban would you get on here for calling someone a Pr1ck?

Feel free, it’s just a word.

There are consequences, I didn’t go to the game so didn’t hear Josh McGuire say it, if I did I’d think he was a pillock but I’d understand whatever was said in the heat of battle was just that, and I’d wager in reality Josh McGuire would be a decent bloke who wouldn’t use such words.

The whole saying it in front of a police officer business, how many times have police split apart fights on a rugby pitch and then those players get tried by the law? It is a coliseum, a battle ground, a pitch, an arena where gladiators fight/compete and they’re not the brightest but they’re the toughest, and most competitive and things boil over but what I’ve learnt is rugby league people are the best people int he world, let’s judge Josh McGuire on his action in putting it right rather than a split second heat of the moment brain fart.

In day to day life the word he used was disgusting, but like life it isn’t just black and white, there are many grey areas and the rugby pitch is a massive grey area. If someone rugby tackled you walking around Argos you’d press charges, on a rugby pitch they’d get applauded, the rugby pitch is not civvie street. (For the record I’d never use that term, never heard it said for about 20 years either just in case of the one poster who is intent on trying to take offence or twist my words.)

If an 8 yr old called another 8 yr old this term in the playground in 2023, there would be pretty serious repercussions and questions asked to the parents of said child who are using it as an insult at home, enough for the kid to pick up on it and know that its weaponised.

In a time where the game is attempting to be more inclusive with PDRL and LDRL language like this is unacceptable in RL and in society.

Horrible human to use that word, hopefully a lengthy ban and some education on the topic would help Mcguire grow up a bit.

It’s what I was told he said but I don’t know it for a fact. If it is that, he has no defence IMO. I don’t buy this ‘it’s a tough sport/a man’s game/an aggressive game’ line as a defence. It is all of those and verbals are absolutely allowed and I like to see players going at it but there are plenty of words they can use that aren’t hugely offensive to people or damaging to the game and the inclusivity it tries to achieve.

Nail

Head

Very well put.

Correct