RUGBY STARS’ VILE ABUSE OF BARMAIDS
England ace fined £10k and given 4-wk ban Club director ‘disgusted’ over social media vid
AN ENGLAND Rugby League international was yesterday fined £10,000 and suspended for four weeks after being filmed hurling shocking abuse at two barmaids.
Wigan Warriors forward Joel Tomkins, 31, was with brother and team-mate Sam, 29, who was fined £5,000.
Footage shows the pair being repeatedly asked to leave a Wigan pub before Joel, who appears drunk, tries to push his way behind the bar.
The teenage barmaid, who was filming the incident on her phone, pushes him away and yells: “Get out.”
Joel responds by calling her a “f***ing d***head’, “the saddest c*** I have ever seen” and “the f***ing rectum of Wigan”.
Sam tries to persuade his brother to leave but the abuse continues before they finally leave the pub.
Both men are also seen confronting the 21-year-old assistant bar manager.
The clip, filmed at Fifteens bar about five weeks ago, surfaced on social media after Wigan were defeated 23-0 by local rivals Warrington Wolves in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
It was shared more than 400,000 times and received widespread condemnation – including from Wigan Warriors executive director Kris Radlinski.
He said he was “pretty disgusted” and added: “Our players know and fully understand the role that they have to play within the community and to see two of our high-profile, senior players behave in such a way disappointed me greatly.
“They aren’t just role models for the young kids in the town, they are role models for the younger players in the squad.
“It is impossible to put a strong culture in place if players you trust to drive those standards act in such a way.
“All players are allowed periods of downtime but know they must act responsibly and in a manner fitting of a professional sportsman.”
He said both players had expressed their “shame and regret”, adding: “Both of them are fully aware that they have disrespected the club and the town – and let themselves and their families down.”
Mr Radlinski said the club was carrying out a full investigation. Bar owner Tony Callaghan said he contacted the club and the two players both apologised to his staff.
He continued: “They did apologise profusely. The police were called on that night but no further action was taken.
“It’s unfortunate that they are rugby players. I see similar incidents to this all the time. They should know better.”
He added: “In a nutshell two people have drunk far too much and been very cocky and arrogant.”
Wigan Warriors said in a statement: “Following a video appearing on social media over the weekend, Joel Tomkins has been stepped down immediately from team selection for four weeks.
“During this period further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident will take place, as will discussions regarding Joel’s longterm future at the club. He has been fined £10,000. Sam Tomkins has been fined £5,000.”
No one from Lancashire Police was available for comment yesterday.
Two people have drunk far too much and were very cocky and arrogant TONY CALLAGHAN BOSS AT FIFTEENS BAR IN WIGAN