Hugh Farrelly of the Irish Daily Mail joined Saturday’s Off The Ball to discuss Ulster Rugby's and the IRFU’s decision to revoke the contracts of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding.
Both the union and Ulster rugby have been carrying out a review into the players’ behaviour since the pair were acquitted of rape charges last month.
Jackson and Olding responded to the news with statements of their own as they look to continue their careers outside of Ireland.
And Farrelly believes the decision to revoke the players’ contracts will send out a ‘strong and powerful message’ to everyone associated with rugby.
“I think so [on whether revoking of contracts was inevitable],” Farrelly told OTB’s Nathan Murphy.
“The statement that came out today – we were possibly waiting longer than we should have – was short, and all the more powerful for being short.
“There are no winners here. It’s been an awful episode for everyone involved but at least it sends out the right message and it should be welcomed broadly.
“There’s a standard of behaviour expected by our players and if you don’t meet that standard, there will be consequences, and that’s very clear off the back of the statement.
“We also have to remember that the players were acquitted of all the charges in the trial. But the evidence that came out in the course of those proceedings was hugely damaging to the game.
“People were talking about the toxic culture in rugby. Parents were questioning whether they wanted their children playing the game – and rightly so.
“And for anyone associated with rugby it was embarrassing and damaging. And I think today’s statement is a strong [and] powerful message that everyone will have to take note of.”
Both players were under contract with Ulster rugby and the IRFU until June 2019.
Listen to the full discussion with Hugh Farrelly below:
Written by James Hopper
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
