The club have to show that taking drugs will not be tolerated and sack him. If they want to hold onto his registration and can then fine as this means we will get compensation should he sign for someone else after his ban. But we absolutely have to sack him, if we don't it sends out a message to any young players at the club that they are okay to do the same because if they do and are caught then the club will sort out something for them to earn a wage while banned so that they can carry on as normal when the ban is up. Not to mention the message it gives to all the kids that watch the club play.

The club needs to use this as the launch point for an anti drugs community campaign but I am staggered that anyone can think a person who is known to have taken cocaine (and proven by two drugs tests) only a month ago is the person to front it.

of course he shouldnt be sacked.
forgive and forget.

Looks like we can't have him involved with the club at all. I read "other than authorised anti-doping education or rehabilitation programmes" as Hock being a recipient of anti-doping education, rather than him going out to schools etc.

Doesn't say anything about his registration.

EDIT - Also if Hock wants to be able to play the sport again at the end of his ban he has to make himself available for testing throughout the ban. Another positive test = lifetime ban.

Should be sacked, and removed from the club, period..... I have refrained from posting on this matter untill the second test came in. Sadly, for all concerned, Gareth should be sacked. People have talked of "loyalty" on here and you have to ask yourself if Gareth has shown any to his family (who are the ones to help him), the club, his team mates, and the fans who look up to him as a star, and ultimatly pay his wages. RL has to show there is no room for drugs in sport whether performance enhancing or not. They all know the rules. And now he, AND WE through his stupidity and selfishness have to pay the price of losing his talent. If you get yourself sorted, i'm sure you will be welcomed back with open arms, but our younger players, who are our future, have to have this made clear to them...You take drugs, you are not wanted in the sport... We are Wigan and we should show the way...... Good luck Gareth, and thanks for the memories.

Yes he should, As a kicking tee

I'm pretty sure that Long was still involved with Saints during his betting exile. I remember him being involved in a touch rugby corporate event whilst banned. And he seemed to step straight back in indicating that he was training with the club.

I'd keep him with us simple as that, for me he's not embarrassed the club or sport, only himself. The club can't keep tabs on players all the time and shouldn't, he's made a mistake simple as that, and I wouldn't hold it against him everybody deserves a second chance.
In fact I would class what other players have doing including assaulting people and beating them up far worse than what Gareth has done, so for the reasons stated above I'd keep him.

some people on here dont seem to understand you have no choice but to terminate his contract with the rl de registering him which after 2 years becoming a free agent no ifs or buts simple as that

It doesn't matter how other offences are dealt with.

If you get banned for drugs you are not allowed to take part in the clubs activities as w/l/a pointed out. Those are the RFL rules.

Dave

are you being serious, he's just been caught for a drug offence! keep him at the club by all means, but take into account what message that gives to the other players....

it's ok to take/ get caught for taking drugs, the club will stand by me, give me a job and look after my family!

"anyone fancy a line"


his registration the the RFL will be cancelled so you can't keep it, therefore it will be fair game when his ban is up, i don't think you'd have any redress if another team signs your "assistant greenkeeper" after 2 years in post

His playing contract will be cancelled and the club will keep him employed in another role during his rehabilitation, with the intention of re-registering him when his ban has expired. He is only banned from competition, not from being employed by Wigan in any capacity. The ball is in Wigan's court now.

Hock know what he was doing when he had the drug and must of known if he got tested he would have known what would have happend to him the 2 year ban.

He's banned full stop. Its on the previous page.

because otherwise what message does it send........its only two years....players will risk that as there is only a slim chance of getting caught. Now end of your wigan career!! not many will risk it even if there is only a slim chance of getting caught.

Furthermore, if you keep cHock on then do you really think he's going to give up coke for the next two years!? people coming on here saying send him to schools etc?!! what a joke...if people think just because he has been caught he'll give it all up and be an ambassador against drugs then they're seriously dilluded!! If he couldnt refrain when he had everything to lose, why is he going to now, when theres no sanction for the next two years....he may as well continue.

Boot him out on his harris IMO....its no less than he deserves! Hes done the crime let him do the time, namely that his wigan career and any association with the great club of wigan should now be over!