Brian Moore's view. Today's Telegraph:
Call me old-fashioned but Kyle Sinckler's F-bomb row highlights need for respect
It is an after-dinner anecdote told by all players of all sports. You know the one, about them asking the referee, “What would you do if I called you a ----?” “I’d send you off for unsportsmanlike conduct.” “What would you do if I thought you were a ----?” “I couldn’t do anything about what you think.” “OK ref, I think you’re a ----.”
OK it is not true, but behind the joke is a question that is more important than you think. What should sport do about players swearing on the field, given that in every other area of life the attitude towards it has changed markedly?
The soon-to-be-deposed President of the United States, British cabinet ministers, television show hosts and many more use swear words without condemnation by the media and public. Given this shift in social mores, Kyle Sinckler, the Bristol and England prop, might feel a tad aggrieved at the reaction to an incident in his game against local rivals Exeter.
One headline claimed he had issued a “foul and abusive tirade” at Karl Dickson, in response to the referee’s ruling that a tackle by an Exeter player was not illegal. “Are you f------ serious?” were the words used and, for what it is worth, I thought the replays favoured the player over the referee. He was not sent off, but warned that his comments were unacceptable, and a penalty given against him. Public and media reaction was swift and harsh, with some calling for him to be suspended.
I can appreciate both the player’s and his critics’ point of view.
He could say that it is hypocritical to claim he sets a bad example to others, especially children, unless you similarly judge all those people mentioned above. They have an equal, if not greater, responsibility to set a good example. Much is made of the fact that the comment was made to the referee, but why is that different to shouts of “he’s f------ offside” and similar, which are regularly heard during games, and which have gone unpunished? His was made after the referee’s ruling, the others before, but both are directed at the referee.
What the referee’s mic has shown is that players question the official all the time and if you say the distinction is that Sinckler swore, what do you say about the swearing that players direct at each other and generally? If swearing is unacceptable, and damages the image of rugby, surely that applies to all swearing, whatever the context? The comment was mild compared with those made constantly in other sports that go unpunished.
In response, I would say that rugby should try to adhere to its core principles, and the one that applies here is that of respect. If others want to claim sanctimony and mock, that is their problem; better to have imperfect standards than no standards at all. Whatever other sports do about this should be of no concern. The fact that rugby’s media and fans have double standards is also their problem.
I accept that rugby is a game of physical contact, where players say things they regret, but that does not mean swearing should be condoned. If swearing is general (not directed at someone) and infrequent, it can be dealt with by a quiet word from the referee.
Swearing at an opponent or an official is a different matter and it should be penalised. If you want respect to be given, it should be applied to all on the field. Whether it is further sanctioned has to depend on what is said and its context but, given its subjectivity, everyone concerned must accept that certainty and consistency cannot be achieved. Every decision will attract “what-aboutery”.
Comments made to an official should be in a higher category of offence because those carrying out this difficult job must be given protection and automatic respect. Whatever they claim to the contrary, players decide what they want to do or not do. They might occasionally lapse, and I admit that I swore on the field, but no player is compelled to swear, and I never swore at a referee.
I would ask this: if you were making an official after-game complaint about a referee, would you swear in the complaint? The answer is no, so why should you do this on the field?
This is about a mindset, and inculcating a no-swearing attitude among players encourages a better approach to the game for players, supporters and officials. If you see this as old-fashioned and an out-of-touch approach, so be it, but you can see in other sports what happens if you allow swearing to go unsanctioned – mild comments lead to worse and finally to disgusting abuse. What are the positives for rugby in allowing it?
Topic: Call me old fashioned - Sinckler. (Read 4016 times)
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