Wally James's Contributions

Of course there is no such thing as free speech. Each country has its own laws as to that. Most countries have, for example, defamation laws limiting what people can say without penalty. Free speech does not exist and never has except in USA court dramas. This decision however has nothing to do with the false assumption of free speech. Each sport attempts to regulate its participants from bringing the game into disrepute. They do so by prohibiting unwarranted abuse of fellow participants, in this case refs. Boudjella's comments were extreme and uncalled for. They brought the game into disrepute by the use of vitriol instead of rational and reasonable comment. If he wants change in refs he is not gong to get it by that sort of vicious attack. Honey attracts more flies than vinegar. Good on the judiciary I say.

Toulon rugby owner banned for 130 days

27 Jan 2012

Exactly

French referees sue Toulon president

20 Jan 2012

Any vicious attack on referees should be clamped down on in my view. How will the game get anyone to join refs' ranks when all they can expect is Boudjellal's vitriol? There are enough ref bashers around the place without someone of his standing in the game becoming one. That is not to say that refs should be immune from criticism. But it is to say that unreasonable and vile comments should be punished. That they emanate from a person with money is irrelevant. Either what he said breaches the code of conduct or it doesn't. If the former, punish him, if the latter, change the Code so becomes a breach. If he wants changes to the way the game is run there are much more pleasant ways of approaching the problem.

French referees sue Toulon president

20 Jan 2012