RugbyRebels

Even I know that's not funny.

Jackson and Olding are out of rugby until this business is resolved. Given the glacial pace of the legal process, that could be a whole season (perhaps even longer.) This seems to be a decision of the IRFU/Ulster Rugby, but reached with the players' agreement. I am making no judgement here with respect to their guilt or innocence. I know nothing at all of their case. But even if found completely innocent, this could obviously have a drastic effect on their rugby careers. Are ordinary accused blokes in normal 9-5 jobs treated the same way in similar cases? Are accused in the UK still regarded as innocent until proven guilty? If that is the case how can they be suspended from their jobs at this stage of things (with the significant acknowledgement that they seem to have agreed to this process.)

Spiffy wrote:Jackson and Olding are out of rugby until this business is resolved. Given the glacial pace of the legal process, that could be a whole season (perhaps even longer.) This seems to be a decision of the IRFU/Ulster Rugby, but reached with the players' agreement. I am making no judgement here with respect to their guilt or innocence. I know nothing at all of their case. But even if found completely innocent, this could obviously have a drastic effect on their rugby careers. Are ordinary accused blokes in normal 9-5 jobs treated the same way in similar cases? Are accused in the UK still regarded as innocent until proven guilty? If that is the case how can they be suspended from their jobs at this stage of things (with the significant acknowledgement that they seem to have agreed to this process.)

I'd be very surprised if they couldn't find a trial date before xmas,thoughIdon't know what listing is like in NI.

People, particularly with public facing roles, will frequently be suspended pending trial. Usually on full pay.

As I have said elsewhere, this is a truly miserable situation and it is particularly so given the nature of the allegations that these lads must face in court and the inevitable hysteria they will face out of it. We will be letting them and everybody else involved down if we ignore the direction of DPPSNI and go yapping on about it on here.

I thought I was nocturnal but you feckers are making me feel good.

I simply hope that justice is done and a line can be drawn under the situation one way or the other.

Very distasteful situation. Supporting Ulster simply isn't much fun at the moment.

Any news on this front?

Olding has had a number of charges dropped but the big one is still hanging over him. Nothing in the news about Jackson. Everything else is just speculation.

SerjeantWildgoose wrote:Olding has had a number of charges dropped but the big one is still hanging over him. Nothing in the news about Jackson. Everything else is just speculation.

Last I heard there is a trial on 22 Jan.

Reading the BBC article it doesn’t sound good at all. Guilty or “innocent” the entitlement in young sportsmen these days towards sex is just frightening.

Hooky wrote:Reading the BBC article it doesn’t sound good at all. Guilty or “innocent” the entitlement in young sportsmen these days towards sex is just frightening.

It's probably to do with the elevated status awarded to athletes, which is conducive to breeding a culture of sexual entitlement - certainly not helped when authority figures in their lives that fucking well should know better, like their coaches, parents and administrative bodies defend or even cover up that kind of shit.

Like, look at the shitstorm currently enveloping Michigan State University, and how their Athletics Department spent years covering up for not just Larry Nassar, but various athletes and coaches in their major sporting programmes like basketball and football who assaulted women, both physically and sexually.

cashead wrote:[ - certainly not helped when authority figures in their lives that fucking well should know better, like their coaches, parents and administrative bodies defend or even cover up that kind of shit.

The most dangerous people in the world are the ones that live their lives vicariously through their charges.
Hothouse parents, CEO's, Glamour parents, never-played rugby parents, ...etc.
We used to call them 'touchline dickheads'. But I call them 'touchline knuts'.

Same.

Reading the summing up, I get the feeling that the well paid legal representative for the defendants is well worth his money

Not guilty, but a hard lesson all round..http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43571066

Delighted with that result, they'll never get that two years back which in a sportsmans life is a tragedy

seems they aren't quite out of the woods yet, the irfu and ulster rugby are now launching an investigation into their conduct

BBD wrote:seems they aren't quite out of the woods yet, the irfu and ulster rugby are now launching an investigation into their conduct

God knows how long this will take. Meantime (Irish Independent)French and English clubs seem to be interested in Jackson.

Choosing to leave would have its appeal, a fresh start, his ranking in the Ireland selection will have dropped, might be worth his while to get out from under the long shadow this has cast over him. Besides, he's a very talented Fly Half, so it makes good sense for them to pursue him.
I wonder if he might choose to stay with his family though.

BBD wrote:seems they aren't quite out of the woods yet, the irfu and ulster rugby are now launching an investigation into their conduct

Be interesting to see where that goes. Can just as easily see a whitewash as them getting thrown under the bus.

Wouldn't be surprised to see both players decide to leave with that over their heads.

I think the IRFU and Ulster have done the right thing

1) waited until the result of teh criminal prosecution is known
2) Investigate the conduct of the players representing Irish rugby

Their behaviour on the night, the quantity of drink, the texts via WhatsApp afterwards needs to be dealt with, as when they are in the public eye that have a responsibility to behave themselves, which I dont think they did.

It cant be brushed under the carpet, for the sake of Irish rugby and Ulster rugby who of course have sponsorship relationships to consider. So whilst the piper will need paying I hope it happens swiftly, and with a cool head, uninfluenced by social media which is having a major meltdown today. I also hope they take into account the ordeal of the last two years to be part of any sanction

I mean sure their conduct leaves a lot to be desired but what a nasty little bitch that bird must be. Hope the lads go on the attack. That will hang over their heads forever despite the verdict. Jackson especially can expect a substantial loss of earnings as a result of this.

Banquo wrote:Not guilty, but a hard lesson all round.

Yeah, if the lesson is 'don't team up on a girl'. Some of the English lads used a camera.
Not a lesson I needed to learn.

The word is that Exeter are the ones interested in PJ and SO, some folk going as far as to say the deal is as good as done, awaiting the verdict of the trial