30,000 sign petition urging IRFU to make public probe into behaviour of players
MORE than 30,000 people have signed an online petition urging the IRFU to confirm it is conducting a thorough review into the behaviour of the two Ulster and Ireland players involved in the Belfast rape trial and that its findings will be made public.
Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, along with two friends, were found not guilty of all charges against them on Wednesday.
The IRFU and Ulster Rugby issued a joint statement that day after legal proceedings had concluded saying they will conduct such a review.
Part of the IRFU’s code of conduct, available online, states: “Remember you are representing your team, club, family and the game of rugby.”
However, Ulster Rugby has yet to make public its code of conduct for players.
The petition, submitted on change.org, says: “Please confirm that you will conduct an internal review of their behaviour and make the findings public if these players are ever being considered to play for the Irish team.
“Please consider their admissions in court, WhatsApp records of their dialogue, their public image, the IRFU code of ethics.
“Please then act on the findings.
“This is the minimum you can do to ensure the integrity of Irish rugby.”
The petition says that the trial highlighted “worrying conduct and attitudes of players which many do not feel are representative of Irish people”.
It states: “The Irish rugby team act as ambassadors of Ireland. We do not want other countries to think that this behaviour and these attitudes are representative of Irish people.
“The Irish rugby team are also heroes of many young people. We do not want them to feel that what has been revealed throughout the trial was or ever will be acceptable or celebrated. We do not want young rugby players and fans to think this is okay behaviour to emulate.
“Rugby clubs and national teams regularly drop players and do not renew contracts over inappropriate behaviour off the field for these reasons.”
Green Party MLA Clare Bailey said the petition was a “valid way for friends of the sport and members of the clubs to voice their concerns”.
“I know people who have contacted Ulster Rugby directly to express their concerns. The findings of the review should be made public, there is huge public interest in this case,” she added.
“I don’t see why Ulster Rugby isn’t releasing the code of conduct if the IRFU has full transparency.”
This newspaper asked Ulster Rugby when its code of conduct was introduced, and why it had not yet been made public.
We also requested confirmation that the findings of the review into the players’ conduct would be made public.
Ulster Rugby referred us to Wednesday’s joint statement with the IRFU, saying: “As this matter is now in review it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
The Irish Rugby Football Union said: “The IRFU and Ulster Rugby have advised that a review process in relation to this matter is under way and it will be inappropriate to comment on any matter pertaining to that process until it is completed.”
The joint statement from Ulster Rugby and the IRFU released on Wednesday said: “The IRFU and Ulster Rugby note the verdicts handed down today at the Belfast Crown Court in relation
to the case brought against Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding.
“We wish to acknowledge that this has undoubtedly been a difficult and extremely traumatic time for all involved.
“To respect the judicial proceedings, the IRFU and Ulster Rugby postponed any internal review of the matter with the players, until the proceedings concluded.
“IRFU and Ulster Rugby officials will review the matter, in line with existing procedures for all contracted players.
“A review committee, made up of senior representatives of the IRFU and Ulster Rugby, has been appointed and will conclude its review as soon as practicable.
“The players will continue to be relieved of all duties while the review committee is in process and determining its findings.”
I don’t see why Ulster Rugby isn’t releasing the code of conduct if the IRFU has full transparency