Oh I'm grown up. Been playing rugby for over 30 years. To demand a player is banned for 24 weeks for that is stupid and childish and you know it.nothing? u have a lot of growing up to do. your a childish grub.
Oh I'm grown up. Been playing rugby for over 30 years. To demand a player is banned for 24 weeks for that is stupid and childish and you know it.nothing? u have a lot of growing up to do. your a childish grub.
wow you been held back for 30 years? stupid and childish is what marler did. if he's gonna be an offensive childish idiot then he doesnt deservce to play with the grown ups. thats why youve been held back cos youre a childish git.Oh I'm grown up. Been playing rugby for over 30 years. To demand a player is banned for 24 weeks for that is stupid and childish and you know it.
Held back?wow you been held back for 30 years? stupid and childish is what marler did. if he's gonna be an offensive childish idiot then he doesnt deservce to play with the grown ups. thats why youve been held back cos youre a childish git.
this is unacceptable behaviour in grown up world fool.
This thread has turned out nicely...
20? I think you mean 10It lasted about 20 posts before descending, which is more than i expected!
I'm really not sure where I stand on this one. But it won't be alongside the internet hard-men looking to show how toxicly masculine they are.
On the one hand, it was clearly intended as a joke; and was clearly the equivalent of a friendly punch on the arm, as opposed to the Tyson-Roundhouse that some are equating it to.
On the other hand, it wasn't funny, but was badly misjudged.
It's technically sexual assault in the post #MeToo era, even though it wasn't for the purpose of sexual gratification, degradation or control.
Finally, this happened in a televised match, with dozens of cameras; and the rugby worlds second most prestigious event.
Those "mitigations" also end up not mattering one jot. "It's just a joke" "intent" "purpose" only matter if everyone involved thinks of it that way - otherwise it's bullying / assault.
He absolutely deserves a ban - for sheer dumb stupidity if nothing else. I simply don't know how much of a ban "feels" right. 12 weeks seems unproportionately harsh for something that so clearly WAS intended in jest. On the other hand, sexual assault is a erm... dodgy area to jest in, whilst rugby laws don't really differentiate between "done in jest" and "done with malicious intent".
It could viably be seen as anything from "a joke between Lions team mates" to "sexual assault". One requires a slap on the wrist for misjudging the timing / publicity; the other deserves a custodial sentence and his name on a register. Neither seems "right".
ETA to reply to a post made whilst I was typing:
20? I think you mean 10
IMO Marler should get banned, there is no place for that kind of behaviour being broadcasted to millions watching the game. The 4 years length is clearly for if you've ripped someone's cock off or done what trf heineken described (sounds horrible btw TRF_h, hope all is ok down there in the long run!). Marler's offence was obviously not malicious or intended to hurt, and therefore should be entry level, if that. But an entry level ban of 12 weeks would send the right message.
That said, the hysteria over this perplexes me, and is an indication of the society we live in where people take far more offence on other people's behalf than the wronged people themselves. AWJ, to his credit, seemed more surprised on the pitch and while he wants action to be taken, it doesn't appear to me that he wants to cry sexual assault, or get the police involved or anything like that. And let's face it, he was wronged so he is the one to dictate how offended we should all be.
Tallshort started itIt lasted about 20 posts before descending, which is more than i expected!
If you touch someone without their consent on their tits or their ass or their dick or their vagina it's sexual assault, there are no technicalities.
I love Joe Marler but if he gets a 24 week ban or more for this than so be it. The times have progressed and it's time the game does as well.
Question for those advocating for 24 weeks.
When entry level is 12 weeks, what is your justification for that length based on Marler's offence?
Yeah, I think 12 weeks would be perfectly sufficient but he really isn’t helping himself.I think 24 weeks is OTT harsh. But perhaps they are saying that based on Marler's previous indiscretions, and how he is taking this as a joke, and can't see the seriousness of his actions. As in he's not showing remorse...
Okay that's fair enough I was thinking they were suggesting it as the point of adjuding the offence itself. Not thing like guilty plea (should be removed IMO), remorse and previous indiscretions.I think 24 weeks is OTT harsh. But perhaps they are saying that based on Marler's previous indiscretions, and how he is taking this as a joke, and can't see the seriousness of his actions. As in he's not showing remorse...