Re: Zak Hardaker - Statement : Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:58 pm  

if you read the comments in their context they dont seem to be wriggling in any way shape or form.

Re: Zak Hardaker - Statement : Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:03 pm  

BackrowSaint wrote:

The apology is completely fine for me, it addresses the possible offence that could be caused and acknowledges that he was wrong to use it.

Having said that, there's no place in our family game for that sort of language as far as I'm concerned. Although heterosexual myself, I am close to people who are homosexual and I can understand and have seen the offence that such statements can cause and the hurting that goes with it. I'd expect a ban (1-2 weeks) and I think that would be fair, there's plenty of other ways to insult somebody without resorting to homophobic slurs (whether intended to be homophobic or not).

Pretty much my view too.

If he does it again ban him for half a season.

Re: Zak Hardaker - Statement : Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:42 pm  

SmokeyTA wrote:

To highlight that in moments of frustration, when we insult people, we dont always mean the literal interpretation of the word. Hardaker was wrong to use the word because it is a homophobic slur, that doesnt necessarily mean it had homophobic intent behind it.

Here you have it.

He used a homophobic slur. When you think of all the non-homophobic words he could have used to equal effect he didn't use them. He used a homophobic one. He need not have done. There are plenty of other insults to fling at someone in the heat of the moment but he didn't choose any of them.

I think he knew exactly what he was doing.

Re: Zak Hardaker - Statement : Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:50 pm  

Wheels wrote:

Of course it was written by the media department, I'd be very worried if it wasn't!

I don't think its an overzealous, miss-placed sense of social morality at all. He said something stupid in the public domain.

Of course he isn't homophobic, but he said a homophobic thing. He's a big daft lad.

He's apologised and is being dealt with accordingly. Everybody should now move on.

You locked the other interesting discussion but chip your two penneth into this one. BTW, he said something offensive, he didn't say something homophobic.

But your final sentence is spot on.

[Wheels]

Re: Zak Hardaker - Statement : Fri Jun 06, 2014 10:46 am  

G1 wrote:

You locked the other interesting discussion but chip your two penneth into this one.

Aye, only because folk were going round in circles (and in some cases personal and abusive) on a subject with no evidence or substance to it.

Now this statement has been released, crack on...



Bear in mind I think thats the first thread I've locked in about three years, and I didn't even ban Gotcha in the end either!

Re: Zak Hardaker - Statement : Fri Jun 06, 2014 11:32 am  

Wheels wrote:

I didn't even ban Gotcha in the end either!

Reconsider.

Re: Zak Hardaker - Statement : Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:35 pm  

Wheels wrote:

and I didn't even ban Gotcha in the end either!

I can't comment because it would be criticism of the moderation process

Re: Zak Hardaker - Statement : Fri Jun 06, 2014 4:38 pm  

How far can the "big daft lad" defence carry one player?

Twice in nine months he's been a "big daft lad". A less talented player would currently be shopping for a new employer IMO.

If Leeds are that committed to equality and diversity, should they be looking to take some form of pre-emptive action against Hardaker - in public - now he's effectively admitted the offence?

Re: Zak Hardaker - Statement : Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:50 pm  

TheElectricGlidingWarrior wrote:

Had he left out the comments I highlighted I wouldn't have an issue.

With all respect, whether or not you have an issue isn't the issue. Let's face it, there are many - and I'm not saying they're wrong - who would remain dissatisfied however the apology was worded. What is important is that the statement makes it clear that ZH's behaviour was offensive and unacceptable and that he and the club recognise this. Let's face it; the statement is aimed more towards the impressionable than it is towards people like yourself who know better.

Re: Zak Hardaker - Statement : Fri Jun 06, 2014 8:54 pm  

Anyone lip read what the Leigh player said to Zak as he scored his try...no doubt we'll have a moral outcry and clips on the VT any minute