Mailbox: Confused by Super League’s moral outrage

Mailbox gives you the chance to get your voice heard and start the debate with the rugby league audience. Want to be featured? Email the editor: james@loverugbyleague.com

Hi James,

I hope you are well.

Re: the recent outburst by Hull KR chairman Neil Hudgell and the legal action he is threatening due to Catalan signing Israel Folau.

I could almost understand his moral outrage if:-

Hull KR were not partnered with the John Sentamu Academy, the MP and Archbishop of York who openly advised David Cameron to outlaw gay marriage. I wonder what damage to the sport and potential loss of sponsorship this has had?

On one hand, Hudgell is happy to (presumably) receive money to advertise an organisation that shares Folau’s views, yet on the other, he is leading the charge for morality against such views. Could this be more evidence of the self interest that is destroying the sport?

Let’s also not forget, Hudgell also stood by Ben Cockayne after his conviction for assault and later his racist tweets, which instead of sacking him for his offences, he gave him a token fine for the latter and no penalty for the former.

I would like to know why Hudgell believes the punishment for racism is only deemed worthy of a fine; a conviction for assault sees no punishment, yet a homophobic view is worthy of a life time ban from the sport?

The same questions could also be put to many of the other “outraged” SL chairmen, who currently employ players with a myriad of convictions. These convictions are somehow less serious than a homophobic belief?

Whilst most educated and rational people do not share Folau’s views, let’s not forget homosexuality is still illegal in his parents’ home nation (Tonga).

Mike Hopkin

Editor’s comment: Clearly, no one is coming out of this saga in a positive fashion. But somehow, Super League chiefs have somehow managed to drag out their own bad PR episode themselves, when in reality, it should just be Catalans carrying the can for making the poor decision to employ Israel Folau. There are plenty of players in Super League that have been afforded second, third and fourth chances, despite being charged of criminal offences and otherwise. The reality is nothing can be done right now to stop Folau playing for Catalans. So the sooner this whole thing blows over, the better.

Mailbox gives you the chance to get your voice heard and start the debate with the rugby league audience. Want to be featured? Email the editor: james@loverugbyleague.com