No, but I think its worth recognising that an independent panel were satisfied that he'd made the remarks to the referee, and this wasn't reflected in the "apology" which was, perhaps, deliberately misleading.

I'd rather people were sincere and honest with their apologies.

Let's hope that Zak returns to focussing on being the very good player that he is.

If you're using an RFL disciplinary panel as an arbiter of fact, you're on dodgy ground.

5 games is a disgrace. You can risk ending a players career and get less games.

Yet another microcosm for the soft mollycoddled society we've reared over the last generation.

I blame the rfl

Hardakers a martyr

A martyr?

Did he beg and plead for the 5 game ban!

"I'm not sorry that I used the word 'faggot' to sledge my opponent/register my displeasure at the s****y ref. I am sorry that I was caught doing so. In terms of what happens between players, what I said was very mild and anyone offended by it really should f*** off from watching RL because they are far too sensitive for this sport"

Honesty doesn't really work.

Works for me. I liked it.

And if that isnt a clear, concise and convincing argument against it, i dont know what is.

Oh your out. Did somebody use one of those naughty words?

Kind of perfectly sums up the whole thing to be honest.

Yes, Zak Hardaker did, got a 5 match ban for it too. Despite your fan boy protestations.

Yup, works for me.

I'm going to give you enough credit to realise that "Zak is not homophobic" and "it wasn't intended as a homophobic remark" are not the same thing as "no homophobia at all."

To which knee-jerkers do you refer? There have been lynch mobs on other forums, but the overwhelming majority of debate on here seemed pretty well reasoned.

'If you think being homophobic isn't ok, you shouldn't be part of RL'

Just goes to show how far anti-hate initiatives within our sport have to go. Despite the progress that's been made we are unfortunate enough to have some appalling troglodytes within our fanbase.

Fanbase and playing stock.

No one actually said that quote that you've put in your post (not the first time you've done this) and the one you're alluding to was a mock Hardaker honesty statement and not actually anybodies real view.

Reading the other thread on this and there we can see people being accused of thinking homophobia is ok and what Hardaker said was ok. NOBODY on these threads have said anything is Ok or that he should've said that.....people have said it was a daft word to use and he shouldn't really have used it, but in the heat of the moment it can happen and context to the situation shouldn't be ignored just because you want the book thrown at him.

no, in the heat of the moment it can't happen. It is unacceptable for it to happen. Even out of frustration.

Says mr perfect who's never said anything wrong in the heat of the moment

I have, it wasnt acceptable then either.

He said something in the heat of the moment, held his hands up and copped a big ban. End of. Move on.

Oh dear - he's at it again - live on sky again.
In another fit of temper, blows a kiss and CLEARLY calls the saints player a f***ing p*ff

This kid is either just stupid, or very homophobic, over to you RFL

You're a bloody good lip reader. I hope they pay you well for it.

He said f*cking pr*ck.

He was looking at you.

Called him a p***k and blew him a Kiss which aint wrong. From Wakey fan who aint to keen on Leeds. Some dodgy officiating tonight and mr ganson is part of the Team.

I had the benefit of not wearing blue and yellow goggles.
Take another look and be honest.
I expect many Leeds fans to defend him blindly, that's sport. but I also expect many people to be just as disappointed as me at what he did again tonight.
You don't have to be a lip reader to see him blow the kiss at the saints player, and you didn't need HD to see what he said after that.

Clearly said puff. Silly boy.