RUGBY 2 SACKED
Jackson & Olding axed by Ireland and Ulster
RUGBY stars Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have been sacked from playing for club and country.
The IRFU and Ulster Rugby yesterday confirmed both men’s contracts had been revoked after a review of their conduct.
A jury of eight men and three women recently found Jackson, 26, and 25-year-old Olding unanimously not guilty of rape after a nine-week trial.
Jackson said he was “truly sorry” for his behaviour.
A statement from Olding added: “I shall seek new challenges elsewhere...i am very sorry this day has come to pass.”
IRISH rugby internationals Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have been sacked by club and country.
The Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby confirmed yesterday both Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have had their contracts revoked with immediate effect following an internal review into their conduct.
A jury of eight men and three women found Jackson, 26, and 25-year-old Olding unanimously not guilty of rape after deliberating for three hours and 45 minutes after a marathon nine-week trial at Belfast Crown Court.
All jurors also acquitted Jackson of sexual assault.
In a statement the IRFU said: “In arriving at this decision, the IRFU and Ulster Rugby acknowledge our responsibility and commitment to the core values of the game: respect, inclusivity and integrity.
“It has been agreed, as part of this commitment, to conduct an in-depth review of existing structures and educational programmes, within the game in Ireland, to ensure the importance of these core values is clearly understood, supported and practised at every level of the game.”
In response to the news, Olding issued a statement expressing his regret.
He added he has received “fair and unfair” treatment since his acquittal, which has made him more determined to prove himself.
He said: “As I said outside court following my acquittal, I am and will always be fiercely proud of having played for my province and country.
“I very much wished to continue to have the opportunity to represent them.
“Regrettably, influences outside of my contractual arrangement have made it impossible for that to happen.
“I said outside court the Stuart Olding that you read about in the trial is not the real Stuart Olding.
“With the support of my family and friends I shall seek new challenges elsewhere. I bear no one any ill will.
“I am very sorry that this day has come to pass.”
Paddy Jackson also released a statement expressing his disappointment at the decision. He said: “However, I recognise that my behaviour has fallen far short of the values expected of me as an international player, a role model for the game of rugby and as a son and a brother. I am truly sorry.
“Since I was a young boy it was my ambition to play for Ulster and Ireland and I am extremely proud, privileged and honoured to have done so. It is therefore with great sadness and regret but with many cherished memories that I leave that behind.
“My focus in the months and years ahead will be on rebuilding the trust placed in me by people throughout Ulster and Ireland.”
Both Olding and Jackson thanked fans and others who have supported them over the past 20 months.
Two other men, Blane Mcilroy, 26, and 25-year-old Rory Harrison were also unanimously acquitted of lesser charges connected to the case. The Ulster Rugby and IRFU review focused on a series of sexually explicit Whatsapp conversations revealed during the trial involving the players and their friends.
The charges related to an incident at Jackson’s Belfast home in the early hours of June 28, 2016.
But the lengthy trial led to widespread criticism of their behaviour towards women and calls for them to be dropped from the Ireland team.
The IRFU also suspended Irish national player Craig Gilroy until April 26 following a review of a text message he sent. It’s understood Gilroy, who was not
I recognise my behaviour has fallen far short of the values expected of me PADDY JACKSON YESTERDAY
involved in the incident or the trial, sent one of the sexually explicit texts which featured in conversations outlined to the jury during the trial.
A joint statement from Ulster Rugby and the IRFU said: “Following a review of a text message sent by Craig Gilroy, the Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby have sanctioned him, following a disciplinary process in accordance with the terms of his contract.”
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said it “never called for anyone to be sacked” in light of the IRFU’S decision to revoke the contracts of Jackson and Olding.
However, Noeline Blackwell, DRCC chief, told the Irish Sunday Mirror the two players’ behaviour pointed to “an absolute lack of respect for women and a lack of respect for themselves”. She added: “What we wanted to see was what was Ulster and Irish Rugby doing about the offensive behaviour?
“So in many ways, the second part of their statement, where they talk about their values or respect, inclusivity, integrity, and how they’re going to conduct an in-depth review into all their educational programmes, in order to ensure those values are carried through in all of their work, is the really important outcome out of this.”
Rugby Players Ireland, which represents professional players, added it was committed to values of respect, integrity and inclusivity.
In a statement it said: “We will now take time to examine the way in which the review process was carried out by the IRFU.”
The Safe Ireland agency, which aims to end violence against women, welcomed the decision to let the players go.
Chief executive Sharon O’halloran said: “We don’t believe this behaviour defines us as a country. And we don’t believe that this is what rugby is about.”
I bear no one any ill will. I am very sorry that this day has come to pass
STUART OLDING YESTERDAY