THE RUGBY PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION has released a strong statement in defence of Joe Marler, slamming the “excruciating media witch hunt” against the England prop.
Marler is set to face a misconduct hearing after World Rugby bosses stepped in to investigate a comment he made to Samson Lee during the Six Nations.
Marler called Wales prop Lee a “gypsy boy” before apologising at half-time. He was subsequently dropped by Eddie Jones for England’s Grand Slam decider in France, but World Rugby were unhappy that tournament bosses took no official action and intervened themselves.
That decision has infuriated the RPA who insist that Marler “is no racist” and that it is time to “draw a line and move on.”
“Now that the World Rugby hearing date has finally been set, over three weeks since the matter was concluded by the 6 Nations, it is important to place on the record how we have watched the events around this ongoing disciplinary process unfold in a state of disbelief,” Group CEO Damian Hopley said.
“As people throughout the game know, Joe is no racist. He made a comment when provoked and is now being hung out to dry in this excruciating media witch hunt whilst World Rugby have intervened against the RFU and the 6 Nations.
“To put Joe in this position after he apologised to the opposition player, admitted his error of judgement and also received a severe rebuke from the RFU and the Tournament smacks of double jeopardy.
“Everyone recognises there is no place in the game for these provocations but let’s be absolutely clear, Joe is not racially motivated and this matter should have been closed when it was originally dealt with three weeks ago.
“We will be watching the ensuing process extremely carefully but the thought of World Rugby calling for yet another hearing and therefore prolonging this episode defies belief.
“The apology was accepted, Joe held his hand up and it is now time to draw a line and move on.”
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I’d say Van Gall is a very difficult man to work with.. He comes across so arrogant he even makes alex ferguson look humble..
I’m sure Giggs was happy with the win but just not in the manner in which it came
Never mind the relationship, who cares, where the fck do these generic incompetent reporters come from? You could get an app on a phone that would ask smarter questions….
I’m sure he’s delighted to have such an ambitious, ruthless and absolutely incredibly popular assistant manager.
Old Scholes didn’t exactly give him the vote of confidence the other day and I’m sure he’s still close with Giggs, I wonder did he know Paul was going to stick the boot in.
He seriously needs to chill out!
I always thought van gaal thought giggsy was a bit of a simp
He’s an awkward man!
Not sure about LVG. All arrogance and yet to back it up. Serious money spent and the team is a shambles. They create next to nothing. When they do score it’s more an accident than anything else. Terrible defence. Jones, Smalling & Fabio (is that his name?) are awful – should be playing with Derby or Burnley. Rojo way too rash. People go on about Falcao not scoring???? United create nothing for him. Give him some service and I’m certain he’ll put them away – he is proven quality. Di Maria? Don’t know what’s happened to him. Blind is as average as the day is long. He’s the dutch Glenn Whelan, every pass is sideways or backwards. LVG brings on Fellaini to dig him out of a hole every 2nd game? Unreal. I wonder does the chap realise how lucky he is to play for United – he’s absolutely rubbish. And I’m not jumping on the band wagon, I thought that from day one. Ever see him try to control the ball with his fee? He’s not able to. I suppose the only good thing is that they are 4th, but I fancy Liverpool to finish 4th. United with a lot of tough fixtures in the last 12 odd games. (Liverpool, Spurs, City, Chelsea, Everton)
Dutch Glen Whelan I love it
Ah the paper looks for angle
Man U are pure shite this season.