shinymcshine wrote:
Problem for me is the validity of that apology (to Monaghan) when the independent findings state:
"The tribunal accepted that the player is not homophobic but were satisfied that the remarks were made to the match official"
So did he get any extra ban for getting a carefully crafted apology drawn up, in an effort to show contrition, that was now found to be b*llsh!t ?
Except that's not what that means, is it?
Hardaker insists the comments were made at Monaghan. Neither you, nor I, nor the panel know whether that was actually the case, all we can do is form an opinion based on evidence. The only person who knows whether that is true or not is Hardaker.
Having experienced being refereed by James Child I wouldn't be at all surprised if he assumed the comments were made at him, given he seems to believe the entire world revolves around his ego.
If that's what he's put in his report, then the panel are hardly going to hang one of their own referees out to dry by telling him he's got it wrong, are they?