Ulster duo’s Sale move in balance as critics put pressure on club
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THE statement said: “When the Irish Rugby Football Union decided to revoke the players’ contracts, they acknowledged that they have a responsibility to uphold the values of the game: respect, inclusivity and integrity.
“Sale Sharks need to remember that their athletes are role models and the club should promote these values.”
A petition was also launched on change.org, which stated that, “Winning trophies is not worth sacrificing the club’s values and ethics for, a rugby club should be inclusive and welcoming, not implicitly endorsing a vile, misogynistic world view.”
Rather unfortunately from Sale’s perspective, the petition appeared on the homepage of the official club website under the social media feed.
It is possible that Sale underestimated the scale of feeling surrounding Jackson and Olding, who they were hoping to sign on cut-price deals, Jackson on a reported £200,000, £50,000 less than his IRFU deal.
It is understood that some of Sale’s leading sponsors immediately sought talks with the club in light of the revelations, with one company describing itself as “concerned”.
Despite a senior club source describing Jackson as “a done deal” on Monday night, Sale released a statement at 6.00pm yesterday that contradicted its earlier stance.
However, while the denial is a blow, Sale’s recent history suggests the deal is not yet dead in the water and could be revisited next week after the club have played their last game of the season.
Sale did not respond to repeated requests for clarification on their latest statement last night. FORMER Celtic boss John Barnes believes his fellow Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard should take the Rangers job.
But Barnes has warned Gerrard that, if he becomes Rangers manager, players won’t agree to move to Ibrox just because of his reputation.
Gerrard is on the verge of succeeding Graeme Murty as Gers boss after revealing that he and the club had met for “positive talks” earlier this week.
Those talks are expected to resume, possibly as early as today, as both parties aim to work out a deal that would see Gerrard take over.
However, Barnes has issued a warning to the former Anfield midfield hero, claiming that reputation alone won’t convince players that a move to Ibrox would be the best option.
Another former Liverpool great, Barnes endured a disastrous spell in charge of Celtic in 1999 as an inexperienced manager and was sacked after just a brief spell in charge at Parkhead.
And, although he thinks Gerrard (right) should take the Rangers role, Barnes doesn’t expect it to be an easy ride for him.
“The whole idea of players going to Rangers just because Stebe ven Gerrard is there, that doesn’t happen anywhere in football anymore,” Barnes claimed.
“It’s more to do with if you have money to pay, then the better players will come.
“I think Rangers being in the top division for three or four years, to get that money and to possibly get into the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League, then the money can be there in the, hopefully for them, not too distant future.
“But at this exact moment in time they’re just not able to compete financially so fans shouldn’t expect Rangers to compete on the pitch with Celtic over a season.”
Barnes also believes that the task at hand for Gerrard is a substantial one, and thinks Rangers fans shouldn’t start putting unrealistic expectations on him for the upcoming season.
“I think it will be a good move for Steven. If he wants to manage, I think he can be very good and Gary McAllister being there will also help,” Barnes (left) continued.
“But I think the Rangers fans would have to really temper their expectations in terms of Steven Gerrard coming and if they don’t challenge Celtic straight away then it’s a failure.
“He will know the challenge. He’s not going to go there and naive enough to think all of a sudden, ‘I’m going to turn it around.”
Meanwhile Rangers have announced that directors Paul Murray and Barry Scott have resigned for the Ibrox board.
Former Deutsche Bank accountant Murray was previously a board member during Sir David Murray’s reign as Ibrox chairman before the club’s 2012 liquidation crisis.
But he returned as a director of the Rangers International Football Club PLC when Dave King’s consortium wrestled power back from the then Mike Ashley-backed regime in charge three years later.
Hong Kong businessman Scott only joined the board last December having been part of a group who invested £6.5million in loans to the club.
Their resignations come just days after it was reported that chairman King had breached takeover rules after failing to follow through with an order to make an offer for the remainder of the club’s shares.
Gers said in a statement: “Rangers International Football Club PLC notify the resignation of two directors, Mr Paul Murray and Mr Barry Scott.
“Paul has been a director since March 2015 and played an important role at that time in helping oust the previous board and restore the club to the hands of those who have its best interests at heart.
“Paul has served with distinction as a director since that time and all at Rangers are very grateful for his efforts. We look forward to welcoming him again as a supporter.
“Barry joined the board more recently and his enthusiasm and drive were welcome.
“The board knows it will continue to enjoy his support and appreciates the commitment he has shown to the club.”
Graeme Murty was sacked as Light Blues boss on Tuesday just 48 hours after seeing his side suffer a record 5-0 league defeat to Celtic following a 4-0 Scottish Cup semi-final loss.