Iain D wrote:Ok, so assuming that the players are as innocent as the RFU report states, what is their legal recourse?
I mean, if my name had be tarnished in the same way that the Sun and NOTW had reported, I'd be pretty livid. Also, it really doesn't seem fair that someone can make accusations in total anonymity, and then refuse to follow through with a complaint. Either something seriously wrong happened, or it did not. If it did, then the proper investigations should take place. If not, then retractions need to be made and names fully cleared.
I don't feel that this is the end of the sorry saga.
I doubt if they have any legal recourse against the newspapers. The newspapers reported that a hospital had referred a case of a young lady who had the symptoms of sexual abuse to the police who were investigating. The police had placed this information in the public domain (but not the names of the players).
Do they have recourse against the young lady? Unlikely, statements made by her to her solicitors and to the police are privaleged. She has decided not to make a formal complaint.
Against the police? Whether the police were well advised to make the press releases they did is debabtable - HHJJB says that they were not - but it is hardly actionable.
The Media may try and keep the story alive - but I doubt if the players will. Think of the furore if they sued and failed!!!
The opinion expressed above is that of the author and does not imply any acceptance of it by Leicester Football Club PLC or their agents who in no way share responsibility with the author for its publication.
Yes the players could try and sue for slander and/or libel but with so much being left unsaid (at least in Public) then probably the only ones to benefit would be the briefs.
Nowadays referees decide matches, players by how much.
On the field of play if you do something that is unseen that leaves someone with a tender part of their anatomy sore - reckless and a 3 month ban.
Do it off the field - misconduct and a £1000 fine.
Seriously though the idictment is on Randrew who failed to spell out the rules.
The opinion expressed above is that of the author and does not imply any acceptance of it by Leicester Football Club PLC or their agents who in no way share responsibility with the author for its publication.
The important fact is that three of these four players have been removed /left out from the England Elite squad, and only Danny Care is retained. He seemed to be the only one of them completely free of any blame for the night's publicised indiscretions.
Pete wrote:The important fact is that three of these four players have been removed /left out from the England Elite squad, and only Danny Care is retained. He seemed to be the only one of them completely free of any blame for the night's publicised indiscretions.
Whilst this is indeed an important fact, it is stressed by the RFU that this has nothing whatsoever to do with their off the field shenanigans!
The opinion expressed above is that of the author and does not imply any acceptance of it by Leicester Football Club PLC or their agents who in no way share responsibility with the author for its publication.
Ojo, 22, who scored two tries on his debut at Eden Park, issued a statement through his club regretting the circumstances that gave rise to the RFU investigation. "Now that his name has been cleared, he wishes to draw a line under the matter," it read.
The opinion expressed above is that of the author and does not imply any acceptance of it by Leicester Football Club PLC or their agents who in no way share responsibility with the author for its publication.
Although Mr Blackett said the players had only committed minor disciplinary breaches, his report contains highly damaging details of exactly what went on, and will be seen as a new low point for English rugby.
The opinion expressed above is that of the author and does not imply any acceptance of it by Leicester Football Club PLC or their agents who in no way share responsibility with the author for its publication.
On the theme of a players' code of conduct, do the Tigers have such a document? It would be rather embarrassing for the club if our players were caught in similar circumstances, but how far does the club control the private lives of the players? Anyone know?
