A-League set for its own sex scandal

Yes of course both cases are different and I was one of the first to point that out in a post above. Just seems very odd to me that News Limited has made no mention of Ryall’s case at all - almost as though they don’t want another sex scandal to take any attention away from their sex scandal. If you’ve ever read Sydney’s slag rag, they normally bag the sh*t out of “Soccer”. Millster, speaking of SFC, what a beautiful vision to see Australia’s greatest ever footballer, Nicky Carle in a sky blue SFC jersey on the World Game tonight. It was fantastic to see him train with the boys and I hope our Russian billionaire can persuade him to stay. He says he’s here to train with the next A-League champions to keep fit for the upcoming WC qualifiers if Pimbo picks him in the Socceroos squad. Not a snowflake’s chance in hell of that ever happening Nicky while Pimbo and Wags the Dog are running the show. For all you Carle haters out there, get your facts right. Nicky played 41 times for Crystal Palace and scored 4 important goals and 13 assists this season and wasn’t warming benches like the majority of Pimbo’s squad.

I have been thinking about these issues throughout the weekend and I agree 100% with The Answer on the fact that these cases are totally different. I am leaving the suggestion that 9 and News Ltd are milking this issue, though I happen to toally agree. The Ryall situation is an individual situation and should be treated very seriously, but as such. In all of our codes individuals have been charged, and sometimes found guilty, of serious misdemeanours. They have been sanctioned accordingly. Association with the broader code has been limited as, quite logically, the mischief or crime has had little to do endemically with the code. We don't for example, immediately extrapolate the bashing assault which has made headlines in the swimming world last year with a major problem of violence in swimming circles. Nor has the Ben Cousins situation with drugs and criminal associates been extrapolated beyond those other few players who may be circumstantially involved to suggest a 'culture' for the whole AFL. The Johns situation is to some extent different. Though I must say I am quite uncomfortable with the degree to which he as an individual has taken the fall given the greyness of the overall situation. However it is not an individual action, it is the 'bubbling up' of something that we have all known is a chronic issue, and which has threatened to bubble up in numerous other places and at numerous other times. It is the culmination and symbol of multiple allegations over multiple clubs and over a prolonged period of time, and even within itself it does not involve a private individual act but rather an act indicative of team involvement and acceptance. I know these comments are opening me up to a pro-football bias and an inconsistent approach. But I hope if you think you will see this is false. I think Ryall should be suspended until his charges are heard, and if he is found guilty his contract should be immediately terminated. I say this sadly as a Sydney fan who had been excited about his signing. But I don't think that this one incident is related to the whole league or the code. It is an individual misdemeanour and should be treated harshly, but as such. As for education across the A-League, I think it will serve as a strong case study for the extra scrutiny that will come with increased visibility for the code and as such I think it should be considered in future player programs in this respect. But does a severe duty of care arise for the FFA in relation to this act, of the sort that has been with the NRL for at least a decade due to its entrenched pattern and culture of negative attitudes and actions towards women across the board? I would say no. Please understand in reading this that I am writing to play around with these ideas, especially as I am everyone should be very wary of drawing the same conclusions from situations which on the surface are linked by the headline "Sex Scandal" but which in reality are diametrically opposed for both the individuals involved and for the respective codes.

I couldn't agree more that the media are milking the Johns saga for all it is worth - thats what they do ! I can also understand increased exposure leading to increased crowd attendances at NRL games, though this could well be short term ? But it's absurd to suggest that the media are ignoring the '...Socceroo Scandal...' to deny the game publicity ! Johns is media personality and nobody has heard of the Sydney FC kid.

Jimbo: you raise an interesting point. Apparently the crowd numbers are up big-time as well this week. Goes to the old saying "any press is good press".

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25494047-5001021,00.html Like Sam Newman, Matthew Johns hasn’t been sacked, he’s just been stood down and will be back on the Footy Show.

The Answer, Have a look at today’s DT web site - for the 7th day in a row the lead story is the “NRL Group Sex Scandals”. This is the news section, not the sports section. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/ Then check out the “Soccer” section in the sports tab and not one mention of the Sebastian Ryall incident. 9 and News Limited are milking this for all its worth to sell papers and boost ratings for their league shows.

Jimbo . . . is that a serious post ???????????

I cannot believe some of the comments I have read where I have read that apparently their is a media conspiracy to hold the story back...because....wait for it.....it would actually give football publicity and boost the game. There seems to be a serious inability to understand the differences between the cases especially where the police have become involved. Please...wake up.

from the age (http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/soccer/ryall-to-fight-charge-and-ffas-playing-ban/2009/05/15/1242335882836.html): "It's believed that because a triple-0 call was made at the time by another party, police were obliged to press charges, subsequently prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. "It's very much a storm in a teacup," said Ryall's lawyer, Robert Stephen. "There is a weak Crown case, and a strong defence one. But the DPP are locked into it because of the category." I obviously know as little about it as anyone else on here. But I doubt his lawyer would make such statements if they were baseless. If he's guilty, it's absoultely abhorrent. But he could still be innocent of it all. I think it's been handled pretty well thus far. Rhys: "Melbourne didn’t know that a player left to travel to a different state 3 days before their first game of the year against their biggest rivals?" Melbourne had just played Sydney IN Sydney, Ryall stayed back after the game to be with his family (amongst others, evidently).

Jimbo, that is right. An interesting sociological experiment is unfolding before our eyes. Does the Australian public judge an institutional 'cover up' more harshly than a proven sex offender - if Ryall were to be so convicted? If the answer is "yes" it demonstrates how important transparency is for public institutions like sporting codes. If the answer is "no" then it might tell us that our society is more concerned for protecting sporting institutions than ensuring justice for victims - a distinct possibility in our culture as this forum (and others) has demonstrated by some of the contributions of the 'blame the victim' brigade and their media allies (Ch9/NewsLTD - I am looking at you). I thought it interesting that the media described the FFA's decision to refuse future comment ahead of any trial as a "gag" order - and not the entirely responsible thing to do to ensure due process is both observed and protected. I wonder if they would make this argument where a journalist or Logie winner was involved? - the media are greater hypocrites than any of us - and that is saying something LOL!

The NRL, 9 and News Limited are obviously loving all the attention their code is getting. Their lead news stories and front and back pages are still going on about "League's Dark Secret" and what went on in "Room Fifteen"- 6 days after the 4 Corners program went to air. There were big crowds at both League games last night too. The same media barely mentioned the "Socceroo Sex Scandal" maybe because they can appreciate what impact publicity, even bad publicity, can have for a sport.

MC, there is a big difference. Matthew Johns was investigated by NZ police and not charged and free to go. He is being judged by the media and the public - there is no crime in consenting adults having group sex. Sebastian Ryall has been investigated by police and charged and his case will have to go to court. Having sex with a minor, consenting or not, is a crime in NSW. Interesting to see the media and public as judge and jury and which one they find more abhorrent.

Hmm. I hould probably withdraw my own comments above about possible sentences. Probably shouldn't be going down that road with so little information. Sorry.

Oh and Tom, was Ryall charged before signing with sydney fc or after ? Either way, both clubs may not have known, if the police charge a player with something, they dont have to tell his employer, its up to the player to do so ... And with the charge being what it is, somehow i doubt a promising young footballer is going to walk up to his clubs ceo and tell him hes been charged with having sex with a minor. Altho he probably should have.

Yeah, while I wouldn't necessarily jump to conclusions its hard to imagine Melbourne Victory didn't know about this. They would at least have known that something was going on. Ryall was a very important player for MV last season. Although I know there are other factors here, its still pretty rare that a club lets such a talented, first-team player go to their main rival so easily. Particularly after they've put two years into developing him. Did they have an obligation to tell Sydney FC? I don't think so. Although it looks fishy not to have told them about the charges when they let Sydney sign him, it they did tell them you might think they did it to dampen Sydney's interest. Anyway, I'm not sure its fair to tell someone's potential employer about unproven criminal charges. I really, really hope Ryall didn't do this. He's a very talented young man with a big future ahead of him. If he gets convicted, he probably won't get a sentence that keeps him out of football for more than a season, but wherever he goes, whichever club he signs for, the headline in that town's paper will be 'Football club signs convicted child rapist'. But of course, far more important than that is getting justice and closure for the girl and her poor family. Can't even imagine what their going through right now.

Kurt - yet again you resort to name calling when presented with a cogent argument. Don't tell me you "stand by" something when in the previous and next breath you demonstrate the opposite. Jimbo - I had not though about the effect of the 'silence' on Johns, but you are quite correct. It would be unreasonable to suggest that John's has not paid a heavy price for his actions. 'Justice' is a complex term and I believe it even holds out 'hope' for the offender (in a legal/general sense of the word) to seek redemption in the full light of knowledge. Rhys / Bilbo - I think Ryall's punishment fits the alleged crime - for now! Lets see what the transparent legal process decides when all the facts are put to a Court under oath. In the mean time I do argue that there is no evidence whatsoever of a 'cover up' by anyone apart from the alleged offender and his lawyer as you suggest. The facts as we know them are that Ryall, while taking advantage of a scheduled return to Sydney to play football, spent time ahead of the rest of the touring party in a private capacity with his family and friends (all very reasonable at first glance don't you think?). It was in this context that he alone stands charged with proximity to /involvement in a serious criminal offense - unlike the proximity/involvement of other players and the knowledge of officials in the NRL case. It is also reasonable to conclude that he could keep this a secret if he was motivated to (i.e. really, relay wanted to) and was advised to do so by a lawyer. I would go further and argue that I would do exactly the same thing to avoind discrimination and severe financial harm until I was in a position where disclosure was no longer avoidable (i.e. my selection for an OS touring squad which required my passport for example?). My only 'bone to pick' with Ryall is that it appears he failed to disclose during contract negotiations with Sydney FC as a free agent. This is potentially an offense in a civil sense and a lack of transparency that compounds his very serious, but otherwise fully transparent and understandable situation. Michael C, I may not have been clear. I was simply making the argument that if there is a benefit to anyone having their day in court for any offense it is that the transparency of the legal process helps deliver justice for all involved - including any alleged offender. I suspect that if the Sharks had released a public statement after the investigation 7 years ago, fully informed the public of the involvement of other players and expresses regret for their actions and omissions, the club and its players would not be in the position they are in today - particularly the much loved and respected Johns. While it is true that Johns was never charged with an offense, the lack of transparency leaves open the question of police not having enough information to press charges (a very common problem in prosecuting sex crimes with Institute of Criminology data to support my argument). In a perverse way it is this lack of transparency that is now causing him so much "pain and embarrassment" all these years later. I totally agree with your broader points though - particularly about the parasitic behavior of some people when they come into contact with wealthy, famous people.

Melbourne didn't know that a player left to travel to a different state 3 days before their first game of the year against their biggest rivals? Geez, even I don't think Victory management are that clueless!

NUFCMVFC - Anonymity has probably been a saviour for a long time, that and media indifference. Personally I've warned folk before who yearn for 'main stream' media coverage that the most obvious thing that comes with that is wider exposure........of all the 'dirty linen'. It'd be naive to suggest that soccer players don't have any - - - as we know that's patently untrue.....when we're talking about societal issues. Mahony - (& Jimbo) day in court - - - I'm not sure where you've going with that? The Cronulla Sharks I gather WAS investigated by police and - - on that legal interpretation of consent etc etc - - it's far less clear cut than penetration of a minor (esp when we're talking about a 13 yr old as distinct to a mature looking 15.93 year old!! Having your day in court is not a sports code issue - - do you think it is? That's a law and order community issue. Or, perhaps so I naively believe it to be!!! It would be concerning were the NRL or any code be seen to be unduly interfearing in the course of justice......however, we DO know that many people seek to make claims against famous people in the hope of being 'paid off'.....and that's not sport specific, that goes into all high profile areas.

According to the published media reports, Ryall was charged last August. Anyone who doesn't think this incident has therefore been covered up, whether by the FFA or by Melbourne Victory or both, is taking leave of their senses. And anyone who thinks that it's a "hell of a punishment" to deprive someone who has been accused of paedophilia of the right to captain a touring party really is living in a dream world.

Kurt Show me one post I made where I roared as you said ... there is your challenge .... the assumption song suits you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TywmpMQYojs ... if I rant it is against football, never against the AFL as I know FA about AFL aside from it's excellent management structure .....