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| Quote the_grobs="the_grobs"Sent to the RFL:-
Dear RFL,
This week saw an important and shocking precedence being set in the game of rugby league when the Castleford Tigers were reported as facing a potential fine of £40k, due to a small irresponsible section of the crowd reportedly verbally abusing Mr Gareth Thomas, in relation to his sexuality. As you will know the rugby league community in general is one of the warmest, friendliest and most accepting communities in sport and I am sure that this behaviour is not a fair reflection of the vast majority of the rugby league community, or indeed the Castleford Tigers club or supporters.
As a much talked about precedence in rugby league I am sure that the whole of the rugby league community is now more than ever aware of the Rugby Leagues 'Respect Policy'. In light of which I, and my family including Zoe 8 and Amy 4, were shocked to hear the clearly abusive nature of the fans during tonight otherwise fantastic game between the Leeds Rhino's and St Helens.
For your consistency of policy, and moderation I would like to explain why. In doing so I apologise for repeating the vile language which was clearly audible during this game, and hence the abbreviations used. During the 6th to 7th minute of the game a section of the Leeds supporters could clearly be heard verbally abusing the St Helens player James Graham. For a period of perhaps 10 seconds they were chanting 'you're just a fat ginger bstd....fat ginger bstd'. As this could be clearly heard on SKY, I am sure that it could also be clearly be heard at the game to all and families in attendance. The commentators on SKY light heartedly joked about the reception which James Graham was receiving from the South stand supporters. As a result, I would have hoped that the Leeds Rhinos club will have played the RFL 'Respect Policy' to the crowd, however this is just an expectation as it could not be heard on the SKY coverage.
During the 30th to 31st minute, the same chants returned, again abusively directed at James Graham. Again to my families embarrassment this could be clearly heard on the SKY coverage.
In reflection, I recall the same abusive chants being directed at James Graham occurring during the previous televised games from Headingly when Leeds have played against St Helens!
During the 60th minute the referee Mr Silverwood could clearly be heard being abused by the crowd in attendance of the game. The crowd were clearly abusing the referee by chanting the 'referee is a Wkr!'
Whilst I cannot in any way condone what may, or may not have taken place during the Castleford v Celtic game, I think that it is massively unfair and of extreme prejudice to single out one event at one game. As demonstrated tonight, during the Leeds and St Helens game, during the actual game it is impossible for a club to moderate and control every section of the crowd, during the game. Controlling, sections and attitudes of any crowd takes is not a task which can be rectified overnight and requires publicity and commitment from the whole rugby league community.
Hence, I urge you to consider your own respect policy by not showing prejudice against any individual club which may not have behaved or acted any different to that which the rugby league community has witnessed tonight. I trust that you will now show fairness and equality in the application of your own policy
Many thanks,'"
Why not go the whole hog and start a petition?  |
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| Quote Riggins="Riggins"6 minutes 38 seconds into the game tonight, the south stand chanted clearly on Sky towards James Graham, 'you're just a fat ginger b*****d'. Then on 15 minutes and 55 seconds Phil Clarke admitted that the south stand gives him grief.
So that's OK then to make fun of big ginger haired people is it?
I'm be dropping the RFL an email Monday morning asking if Leeds will now be looked at and fined. They've raised the bar now.'"
Do it, go on! Why wait while Monday?
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| Quote the_grobs="the_grobs"Consistency please RFL!!!
Clearly heard tha abuse of James Graham (you fat Gin B'd) in the first half, during the first 6 or 7 mins. Lets presume the respect tape was played...as it should have been.
Leeds than failed to control this section of the crowd, as Cas were penalised for....becuase it was clearly being shouted again in the 30th min, followed by the Ref is a W.... in the 60th minute.
Having known what has happened to Cas, and then still allowing multiple offences of abuse during this game, and failing to control it surely the RFL have to make an even bigger example of Leeds. But then again, the RFL love Leeds so nowt will happen.
 (or do the RFL simply face the fact tht it is impossible to control such events?)
Who's for writing to the RFL, expressing how we were offended by what we heard, and asking what action they will be taking????'"
What about when we were chanting ''Grand Final Bitches'' or is that ok as were reffering to them as a collective?
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I was at the game, am fat and have a ginger beard. I thought the South Stand were chanting about me, and I'm very offended
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| This is what one of their mods is saying about Cas, what do you expect
Quote McLaren_Field="McLaren_Field"Poor lambs, they're a club with a history of supporters using racial and homophobic abuse, both of which are illegal in law (and we're not just talking "guidelines or "policies"icon_wink.gif, they've been hauled before the RFL for it and some of their supporters just can't see where its all gone wrong.
I believe the saying in Hull is "You can't teach pork"'" |
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| Quote castigers13="castigers13"news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6725653.stm'"
That link should also be sent to the RFL.
Not only were there the chants about Graham, but there was also the abuse of the referee, with him being called a w*****r. Not once did I hear the respect announcement on the tv. |
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You cannot equate generic jokes about being "fat and ginger" to direct, homophobic, vivid abuse. Homophobic abuse is illegal.
If James Graham came out and said "I find that offensive", then you might have a basis. However I am 99% sure he gets worse from his own team mates (I can say this as my best mate is ginger), and it wouldn't surprise me if chants of that kind actually helped get him psyched up.
The bottom line is you are kidding yourselves if you think anything will come of this.
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Good post they should if the RL are consistent this is still descrimination of the highest order this is more serious than yours as this was the whole stand and not just a few mindless idiots.
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| Quote Matt King's Barber="Matt King's Barber"You cannot equate generic jokes about being "fat and ginger" to direct, homophobic, vivid abuse. Homophobic abuse is illegal.
If James Graham came out and said "I find that offensive", then you might have a basis. However I am 99% sure he gets worse from his own team mates (I can say this as my best mate is ginger), and it wouldn't surprise me if chants of that kind actually helped get him psyched up.
The bottom line is you are kidding yourselves if you think anything will come of this.'"
Ah, the old 'my best friend is...' defence, it works every time. |
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It isn't a defence I am just using anecdotal evidence of how a group of young lads who are all mates will probably make jokes about one of the mates being ginger.
In my close circle of friends I happen to have mates who are ginger and gay and black.
I don't know what it is inside me, but I would never make a racist/homophobic comment, yet the ginger jokes come thick and fast.
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The point I am trying to make is, imagine the St Helens dressing room.
can you see jokes being made by one player about Graham being ginger? YES.
can you see jokes being made by one player about Eastmond being black? NO.
if a St Helens player announced he was gay, can you see jokes (of the same calibre that were chanted at Castleford) being made by one player towards the other player? NO.
On the basis of that you cannot equate illegal abuse with what is common at every sports venue across the country.
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(or do the RFL simply face the fact tht it is impossible to control such events?)
