Fans pay for advert calling for Jackson and Olding to be reinstated

AN ADVERT paid for by fans of Ulster Rugby has been placed in today’s ‘Belfast Telegraph’, calling on the club to reinstate players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding.

The full-page ad, funded by more than 100 supporters, described “the social media backlash” against the men – acquitted of rape last month – as “cyber prosecution”.

It follows an advert crowdfunded by 139 members of the public, and printed last week in the same newspaper, calling for the players to be sacked.

It had described the content of the players’ lurid WhatsApp messages, which formed part of the evidence in the marathon trial at Belfast Crown Court, as “reprehensible”.

But the new advert, addressed to the leadership of the IRFU and Ulster Rugby, said: “What is reprehensible is the extent of the social media backlash aimed at incriminating men unanimously acquitted of any crime.

“As Ulster and Irish rugby fans, we want these innocent men reinstated and rightly allowed to resume their roles for both club and country. The IRFU should take note of the silent majority and not bow to the court of social media. Yours, Real fans standing up for the Ulster men.”

It took a jury of eight men and three women less than four hours to find Mr Jackson (26, inset top) and Mr Olding (25, inset bottom) not guilty. Mr Jackson and Mr Olding are subject to an internal review by the IRFU and Ulster Rugby.

One of the men behind the ad, a Belfast business owner, said they wanted to send a message to the sportsmen.

“Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding went through a nine-week trial and were acquitted of the charges against them,” said the life-long rugby fan (35) who did not wish to be named.

“They should be back playing for Ulster and Ireland.

“They have apologised for the content of the messages and that, to many of us, feels like enough.

“It’s the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and if that shows us anything, it’s that we’ve forgiven people for a whole lot worse.”