I absolutely think we (Cas) have done the right thing.
Hardaker has proven time and time again that he can’t help pressing the self-destruct button.
Assault, homophobia, class A, getting hammered on England duty (plus lots of other rumoured indiscretions) - every time he says he’ll change; every time he screws up again. It’s not a matter of if he can keep himself out of trouble, but how long he can go without doing something else completely idiotic. I’m afraid he just can’t be trusted to behave himself for longer than a season or so.
Having someone like that at a club, regardless of his ability, just isn’t worth the inevitable problems he will cause. He’s no longer a kid who made a silly mistake, but a bloke in his mid-twenties who, time after time, decides to do things that damage himself and the club he is playing for.
On a personal level I worry for him if he’s banned for two years. Without the focus of professional RL (and at least the time it takes up) he’s got even less reason to keep on the straight and narrow. Indeed, you only need to bump into him in one of his favourite clubs and it’s clear that he’s still making bad decisions. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he was in prison by the end of his suspension. I hope organisations such as State if Mind can support him, but to be honest there is only so much that can be done for someone so intent on ruining their life.
On a personal level I hope he can sort himself out, but past experience suggests this is very unlikely. As a Cas supporter, I’m glad he’s not going to be at my club the next time he inevitably screws up.
