www.sportingintelligence.com/201 ... by-150103/

www.sportingintelligence.com/201 ... by-150103/

Obviously I am looking at this from a biased viewpoint, but I am shocked by the RFL's knowledge, and actions in this situation.

When the story broke I was under the impression that Rule had altered the story to hide the full truth from the RFL and the drug testers...it now appears that he did at least tell the RFL the proper story, then the RFL got a big broom out and brushed it under the carpet and things went out of control from there.

Double page main article spread in The Wail On Sunday ffs.

Typical. Not surprised much at all.

I always suspected that Rule was liar and Kath Hetherington's comments defending him were disgraceful IMO.

As for the RFL sweeping things under the carpet, it just continues from their previous form of self-serving actions to cover their own tracks like when they punished Paul Cooke when their own operational rules clearly stated in black and white that he was "contract expired player".

Everyone involved should be banned from the game for good and Rule & Hetherington can do us all a favour and jump off the Humber Bridge.

Like I said on our forum I don't know if it's possible but if a fines to be handed out then it should go to the head of the company (Hetherington) and the mass of money she took from the club/game.

Guessing some new songs will be getting added to the repertoire by next Sunday then?

Totally agree with u she shud be fined

Go easy tiger.

I think Rule looks a little bit better after these revelations (if they're accurate) - his initial instinct was to come clean. He should have been supported in taking that unpalatable but correct course by the RFL. I've no clue wtf they thought they were doing. It looks like the problem was just too big for them to face up to.

The key words here are "if they're accurate".

The RFL have already released a statement saying they did all they could to assist UKAD. Not quite sure what to make of this.

In all honesty, I'm disappointed, but not embarrassed by it. Had the people in charge still been at the club when it was announced, then I'd have been outraged, but the club has been swept clean of these incompetent morons and if anything this incident reinforces my happiness that they've gone! I was more embarrassed about the Reardon signing after the domestic violence campaign than this.

My main concern is that it is being alleged that half the team may have been taking this substance. I'm not concerned about the "cheating" element (because let's be fair, they weren't intentionally breaking the rules and the drug in the quantity taken would not have made a significant difference most likely). I'm more concerned that allegedly a fair chunk of our players have been that bloody stupid they haven't checked to see if the supplement was cleared. I know Cooper said it was OK, but it is still the responsibility of the player to check the product.

I hadn't thought about it before I read it on the Hull board earlier, but if the RFL have been involved in a cover-up, it does make you think that a few other players at other clubs may have also made this mistake and the RFL are trying to hide a scandal. There has been a silence from all other clubs on this issue (I know they don't have to say anything), usually someone has an opinion though.

If there are any other incidents that have been uncovered since the change of ownership, I wish the club would just let it all out now so we can move on.

Ha ha James Rules offered to "stand down"the whole squad to face Rovers,yeah right that would have gone down well at the RFL.

I do wonder, why it has taken so long for Martin Gleeson to "come clean" on this matter. I suppose it had nothing to do with him engaging the services of Max Clifford and getting paid for his comments by The Wail on Sunday - after The Sun had turned him down

Dont you just love "bright"FC fans?
Tell me again that Gleeson criminal conviction mate ? hahaha

He makes a fair point, IMO. The Mail story seems/claims to have documents backing it up though. They're accusing the RFL of something subtlely different to what the RFL are denying, and I suspect ultimately the story will disappear down that gap. Has any other major news source picked it up? Some might tomorrow, I guess.

Making it about us - it puts the Mason furore of roughly the same time, and all the grief our board got, in the shade. Which is some achievement. I'd maybe be a tad peeved if I was them that the RFL didn't quietly try to bend the rules a bit more, in light of this, to help us avoid the embarrassing consequences. Possibly it didn't matter when WM's Toulon trip became known.

The paper has stated that it has written statements from other players at FC that have been taking this drug...... As a rl supporter i believe each and every one of these players should have their names brought forward and also banned for taking this drug....

By not doing so both the RFL and UKAD are being complacent in their duties to both the clubs and the fans by not taking the appropriate measures into dealing with the Drug cheats(intentional or not). And what it re-affirms is the fact that the RFL are just as crooked as most other major sporting organisations by turning a blind eye to the widespread usage of the substance... As mentioned by another poster it does make you wonder on just how widespread that it may be...