Wigan have suspended Joel Tomkins for four weeks and fined him £10,000 after a video of him abusing bar staff at a pub in Standish went viral on Saturday evening.
“During this period further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident will take place, as will discussions regarding Joel’s long-term future at the club,” said a statement issued by Wigan on Sunday.
Among several instances of outright misogyny, Joel called a female employee “the rectum of Wigan.”
The dual-code international was accompanied by his brother, Sam, who said little in the five-minute video. The fullback was fined £5,000 but not banned. A staff member accused Sam of only being silent once he noticed the camera.
The video appeared on Facebook shortly after their Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat to Warrington.
The footage begins with Joel pushing past a barmaid to get behind the bar before retreating.
He is then seen hurling a stream of abuse at the female staff. They appear to be the only customers in the pub and refuse to leave when asked to do so.
Joel asks the staff “what are you doing with your lives?”, before going on to tell one of them “you do look like a scruff.” Other abuse included: “he [Sam] thinks you’re a f***ing d***head,” “you’re the saddest c*** I’ve ever seen.”
Staff in the video claimed the pair had made a 17-year-old girl cry and that they had called staff “scrubbers and tramps”. A slurring Joel denied this, before saying, “If that’s what you are, that’s what you are.”
The club issued a strong statement on Sunday afternoon, detailing the punishments and acknowledging that the players were contrite.
“I was pretty disgusted at the video that I saw on Saturday evening,” said the club’s executive director, Kris Radlinski.
“Our players know and fully understand the role that they have to play within the community and to see two of our high-profile, senior players behave in such a way, disappointed me greatly.
“They aren’t just role models for the young kids in the town, they’re role models for the younger players in the squad. It is impossible to put a strong culture in place if players you trust to drive those standards act in such a way.
“All players are allowed periods of downtime but know that they must act responsibly and in a manner fitting of a professional sportsman.
“Having spoken to both Joel and Sam this morning, they both expressed shame and regret about their behaviour and the effects it has had on all of the individuals concerned. Both of them are fully aware that they have disrespected the club and the town – and let themselves and their families down.”
It is believed that the incident took place five weeks ago at Fifteens bar in Standish. The police were called, but no action was taken.
The owner contacted the Warriors and said that the players apologised to the staff.
