199 replies to this topic

[Bulliac]

How can a club prevent chanting ?

I'm not defending the Cas fans or what they were chanting because there is clearly no place for that in a modern sport environment (or indeed any environment).

However, I fail to see how the club can prevent it happening. You can put up all the posters you like, play endless messages over the tannoy, write it in your programme but the bottom line is if some imbeciles decide to chant then there's nothing you can do to prevent it.

You can take action after or during the chanting against the offenders but you can not prevent it from happening in the first place, so to charge a club for failing to do so is nonsense. You may as well charge them with failing to prevent it raining. Both are impossible.

I certainly wouldn't have any particular argument with that, but if what you say is true, how can the club claim to have "a well established system for dealing with chanting"? They could, as a minimum, have told the stewards to take a more active stance, but I have to say there was no evidence of that on Sunday.

[RP London]

absoulutely ridiculous, what happened to freedom of speech, seriously what does Gareth Thomas expect if hes gonna come out publicly. disgracefully decision. im sure the punishment wouldnt have been as severe if it had been Wigan or Leeds fans.

freedom of speech does not include shouting abusive remarks about someon who lives their life in a way you do not agree with.. wht about thomas' freedom to live his life (within the law) without prejudice and abuse? freedom of speech if allowed to go the lengths that we would when you hear "what about freedom of speech" shouted would be a misreable world for everyone.

[marklaspalmas]

absoulutely ridiculous, what happened to freedom of speech, seriously what does Gareth Thomas expect if hes gonna come out publicly. disgracefully decision. im sure the punishment wouldnt have been as severe if it had been Wigan or Leeds fans.

Nonsense.

Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak without censorship or limitation, or both. The synonymous term freedom of expression is sometimes used to indicate not only freedom of verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and the right is commonly subject to limitations, such as on "hate speech".

[BringBacktheBiff]

Nonsense.

Am i the only one that can see Thomas' presence is detracting from the tough image the game has developed?

[Amber Avenger]

Am i the only one that can see Thomas' presence is detracting from the tough image the game has developed?

One of the most outragous statements I have read on here in some time.

[Griff9of13]

Am i the only one that can see Thomas' presence is detracting from the tough image the game has developed?

If tou have a problem with Gareth Thomas' sexuality why don't you just come out (no pun intended) and say it?

[BringBacktheBiff]

One of the most outragous statements I have read on here in some time.

I could understand if he was one of the star players in the game. But he isn't.

[terrywebbisgod]

Am i the only one that can see Thomas' presence is detracting from the tough image the game has developed?

What about Ian Roberts, he was "tough" wasn't he and also one of the first RL players to "come out".
I don't think he is detracting from the image that RL has, infact I beleive he has added to it.

[Viking Warrior]

Am i the only one that can see Thomas' presence is detracting from the tough image the game has developed?

did you ever see ian roberts play?? he was certainly as tough as any "straight" player........

[MrPosh]

absoulutely ridiculous, what happened to freedom of speech, seriously what does Gareth Thomas expect if hes gonna come out publicly. disgracefully decision. im sure the punishment wouldnt have been as severe if it had been Wigan or Leeds fans.

RL is a mans sport at the end of the day. Not for public schooled pansies like RU.

Am i the only one that can see Thomas' presence is detracting from the tough image the game has developed?

Two possible explanations:

1. Poor attempt at trolling.

2. You're in the closet and resent anybody brave enough to come out.

There was a third, that you have the brain power of a small rodent, but surely nobody can be that stupid.

[sallywt]

Am i the only one that can see Thomas' presence is detracting from the tough image the game has developed?

Quite obviously you are and a number of people have now expressed their disgust at your comments. Time to join the 21st century where such things are not acceptable in a civilised society. You make me feel ashamed that I support the same sport as you.

[RP London]

Am i the only one that can see Thomas' presence is detracting from the tough image the game has developed?

Thomas was one of the toughest RU players in the game.. the fact he has come over to RL and isa not seen as the toughest player is actually helping the image IMO..

not only that but the "Family image" of the game is helped IMO by the fact that just afer coming out he moved sports and has been ecomd with open arms (except by a very small minority thankfully)..

he goes into every game full blooded and works hard for his team mates, takes every tackle thrown at him (dont even think about using this as a "funny" BBtF) and doesnt take a backward step.. he may not be one of the top players but he is playing well for the crusaders an hopeully in the winter for wales getting the 4 nations (i hope so anyway) and is certainly not doing any harm to this tough image of the game..

i agree that is one of (but not the) the worst comments on the board certainly about him.

[Bulliac]

I could understand if he was one of the star players in the game. But he isn't.

Sorry?? It doesn't matter a jot whether he's a star player, in the A team, serving in the tea bar or standing on the terraces; everyone has the right to be treated with respect. Even you.

[BringBacktheBiff]

did you ever see ian roberts play?? he was certainly as tough as any "straight" player........

My point exactly Roberts was a star player Thomas is garbage. Ian Roberts was a bit before my time but I have seen some footage. Played Origin and Kangaroos and proved himself to be an extremely tough competitior. Roberts earned the respect of his peers and the fans. Thomas has done nothing to warrant such respect so can hardly complain at the abuse he is receiving.

[Viking Warrior]

Two possible explanations:

1. Poor attempt at trolling.

2. You're in the closet and resent anybody brave enough to come out.

There was a third, that you have the brain power of a small rodent, but surely nobody can be that stupid.

thats out of order, rats and mice are quite intelligent.

[maroonandgold]

Am i the only one that can see Thomas' presence is detracting from the tough image the game has developed?

I think you're on your own with that one, yes.

[RP London]

My point exactly Roberts was a star player Thomas is garbage. Ian Roberts was a bit before my time but I have seen some footage. Played Origin and Kangaroos and proved himself to be an extremely tough competitior. Roberts earned the respect of his peers and the fans. Thomas has done nothing to warrant such respect so can hardly complain at the abuse he is receiving.

what????

so because you are not at the top of the top of your proffession you are open to homophobic or racist or sexist or just plain discriminatory abuse..


you are Alf Garnett and i claim my £5

[Viking Warrior]

My point exactly Roberts was a star player Thomas is garbage. Ian Roberts was a bit before my time but I have seen some footage. Played Origin and Kangaroos and proved himself to be an extremely tough competitior. Roberts earned the respect of his peers and the fans. Thomas has done nothing to warrant such respect so can hardly complain at the abuse he is receiving.

gareth thomas is the all time leading try scorer for wales ru and was considered good enough to captain the lions, so really he is a star player of world renown......albeit in union.

[terrywebbisgod]

My point exactly Roberts was a star player Thomas is garbage. Ian Roberts was a bit before my time but I have seen some footage. Played Origin and Kangaroos and proved himself to be an extremely tough competitior. Roberts earned the respect of his peers and the fans. Thomas has done nothing to warrant such respect so can hardly complain at the abuse he is receiving.

So if you're not "good enough" you deserve all the abuse you get.Jeez, you really are from the stone age aren't you, along with the knuckle draggers at Cas who hurled the abuse.

Edited by terrywebbisgod, 29 June 2010 - 01:20 PM.

[Viking Warrior]

what????

so because you are not at the top of the top of your proffession you are open to homophobic or racist or sexist or just plain discriminatory abuse..


you are an imbecile and i claim my £5

typo corrected