Quote ="sally cinnamon"I think a 2 year ban for recreational drugs has no logic behind it. If the idea is that its a criminal offence well let the law deal with it. Thats what they do with players like Briers, Morley and Gleeson who have got done for drink driving. The RFL did not get involved there and ban those players?
The idea is that we need to send a message to youngsters that rugby league has no time for recreational drugs. Fine, does rugby league have time for drink drivers? Why not ban them? What about players who go out and get completely wasted? Is that a good image for rugby league? 2 year bans for players who get caught bladdered?
2 year bans or even life bans, for taking performance enhancing drugs I agree with, but the way I would have dealt with it is said if a drugs test has shown Gareth Hock took coke, the RFL should have shopped him in to the legal authorities and said look we've got proof he's taken an illegal drug, and left it at that. If he has committed a crime then the courts can deal with him, and place whatever sanction they want to, it's not for rugby league to start being judge and jury.
Actually instead of all this talk about bankers bonuses, if they really wanted to put the cat amongst the pigeons they should say there's drug testing for anyone in the City and if you test positive for coke, the FSA gives you a 2 year ban.....there would be some pretty empty trading floors.'"
I agree with a ban. No matter what you think of the punishment, the universally accepted is that drugs are bad for Rugby. You are right about drink driving and affray etc. Ban them too.
I think where the RFl have drawn the line is
Cocaine is illegal. Having it, selling, taking it. It mayb seem like a saturday night to some people but it is really bad.
Performance drugs undermine the sport. Gives and unfair edge to a person and so should be set back in some way. Cheaters never win etc.
I don't know how i feel about making a man unemployed(ish) for two years. If you are a lorry driver and are stupid enough to drink and get banned it is for one year. You lose your job but the chances are after a year you are free to get another lorry driving job, if one comes up.
The same applies to Rugby. Some people would be reluctant to employ a druggie but you take the risk. A year might have been more reasonable.
Finally, i think the RFL have taken the decision that the law is an ass. Which we can agree with. The times that lilo or Paris have got caught with coke and got away with it. Kate Moss, Russel Brand and Richard Bacon off the top of my head.
The law must be taken into their own hands to some extent.
