Raise your hand if you’ve never done anything wrong. I know I’ve done plenty wrong, particularly in my youth.
This is what makes Tim Paine’s resignation as Australian captain so egregious. He did wrong, he acknowledged his wrongdoing, he had “forgiveness and support” from his family, particularly his wife, and the incident occurred many years ago.
Much like Shane Warne’s scandals from many years ago, the public has largely forgiven and forgotten. But the question remains: how should the public react to sportspeople who do the wrong thing?
Firstly, the public has the right to expect sportspeople to be held to a high standard. Rightly or wrongly, sportspeople are upheld as role models, and young people will follow them. If sportspeople are not held to a high standard, if their infractions are not treated as seriously as the average member of the public, then what is the point of teaching young people to be responsible and accountable for their behaviour?
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Sports men and women have a duty to ensure they behave in a way that conforms to societal norms as much as the average fan does. When their behaviour falls short, they need to accept the consequences for it. Once their debt is paid, sportspeople have a right to expect that the scandal can be put behind them.
Few remember Johnathan Thurston’s scandals early in his career, and but many see him as an absolute legend of rugby league and one of the best to ever play the game. Thurston is still giving back to his community because of the second chance he was given because he learnt his lesson early on.
Secondly, the public has the right to expect that sportspeople are treated justly. Nobody likes to see someone unjustly accused and convicted of a crime that he or she did not do. Likewise, when a sportsperson commits an offence, the public has the right to expect that justice is served. When it is not served, the public should be outraged.
In Paine’s case justice has already been served. We may never know the motives behind his sudden resignation, but one has the feeling that money and career embarrassment were probably driving factors. Nevertheless, one gets the feeling that for Paine justice was perhaps not done.
Finally, the public must show mercy when a sportsperson deserves it. Mercy is when a person does not get what they deserve but are not continually reminded of their failure. Most of the time when a sportsperson has done something wrong they will ask for forgiveness. Sometimes it is not genuine, but as was the case with Steve Smith, the remorse is plainly written across the face.
Yet despite this, how often do we as the public quickly denigrate someone who has a rough start to the series and link it to prior indiscretions? If a sportsperson has asked for mercy, the public needs to extend that mercy to them.
So why do we hold our cricket captain to a higher standard? One reason is that the Australian cricket captain occupies for many a place next to the Prime Minister in terms of national seniority. He captures the hearts and minds of Australians like few other people. So when our captain does wrong, should we not expect him to fall on his sword like Paine did?
Well, in the case of Paine, it happened to be a bridge too far. These allegations had been investigated and he had been cleared of wrongdoing. But in the quest for purity Paine felt that the only option was for him to fall on his sword.
Regardless of where you stand on the issue, we would do well to remember that one reaps what one sows. So let’s be quick to forgive and slow to get angry and to judge.
Gus O
Roar Rookie
What is it with “professional” sportsMEN and “smart” phones? Great to see that CA has learned from the Shane Warne / Mark Waugh fiasco. That cover up just worked out so well for everyone when it became public… yes, that is sarcasm. This current fiasco is self inflicted stupidity from all parties, no sympathy for any of them. Pathetic from CA, a total distraction from the actual cricket five seconds before an ashes series when cricket should be riding the crest of support into this summer of cricket following the T20 world cup win. There could not have been a worse time for this story to break. What a pathetically hopeless organisation, what pathetic excuse for “leadership” and “integrity” we continue to suffer in CA.
Simoc
Guest
The Barmy Army will deliver all the mercy that's required. But if he is fit to play, he is certainly the incumbent and at least as good as any other wicketkeeping choice we have. And he has two locked in votes out of three selectors with, his business mate, the Chair and Langars 100% backing.
Simoc
Guest
She can sue you now if that's not true. And its not true is it. It was CA that wouldn't pay. So you're fabricating a story as bad as most of your bowling.
Surely......the onus is on the person making the claims from 10+ years ago?
Kim Hughes 1980
Roar Rookie
Tempo
Roar Rookie
I can’t agree with a blanket statement that the timing of a complaint is never relevant. Yes, there can be a delayed impact, but that is not the only plausible explanation for a delayed complaint - particularly when there are other intervening events that might create motive for a false report. The timing of the report becomes relevant under those circumstances, but like I said is only one of many pieces of evidence which should be considered.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
They “can”. But one can never be sure that is ALWAYS the case.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Hey! I spent a lot of the day typing while I was walking! I’ve sent far worse pocket gibberish.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Your spelling has deteriorated again Jeff. :)
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Its interesting compared to what Ponting did, was at a night club intoxicated and was getting increasingly violent to a women he was with. Then when he had both hands around her throat luckily someone knocked him out before he could do any damage or worse. That saved Pontings career.
Gibbo
Roar Pro
That's interesting. I wasn't aware that was the BBC's rationale. I guess that makes sense on a number of levels.
Maxis Pastit
Roar Rookie
Just saw something, in another comment thread, about a new investigation to look at the old investigation. Not sure how true that is.
BennO
Roar Rookie
"It is therefore important to establish that the complaint reflects how the complainant felt at the time the picture was sent" I disagree. People can brush things off in the moment as a survival mechanism but later when in a safer setting realise how uncomfortable/upset/offended it made them feel. That's why the timing of the complaint is not ever relevant in these matters. If it is relevant in the eyes of the law, it shouldn't be because it fails to recognise the delayed impact these events can have.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
And with those gaps in information around this story currently being the case, it’s that best judgement is not applied in either extreme, against either party.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
It’s going to be a boring coverage for them then, not interviewing the players from out in the middle. :laughing:
Ben Pobjie
Expert
The BBC’s rationale was that its commentary team needs to be able to discuss current issues in cricket, and Vaughan would’ve been unable to objectively do so because he was in the middle of one.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Perhaps he was unable to prove he never said it.
Gibbo
Roar Pro
These days, with any allegation of sexual harassment/racism, the employer has to at least appear to be acting on it even if the person is completely innocent or else the woke brigade will be after them. Can't have that now, can we?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
You’ve not done it?
Dirk
Guest
nah, definitely you Pal. We also don’t have a clear and fixed set of standards to apply Um, we do. It's called common sense & decency. Surely your parents taught you about stuff like that? Just because none of us has done it doesn’t mean that none of us would do it if given the opportunity. Speak for yourself fella. Thinking about it, this whole article sounds like a confession piece.