Tigers to appeal RFL fine

Gareth Thomas
12 April 2012

Castleford have stated their intention to appeal against the £40,000 fine handed out to them by the Rugby Football League.

The RFL announced its decision to penalise the Tigers on Monday, after a tribunal found them guilty of breaking operational rules after Crusaders winger Gareth Thomas was subjected to homophobic chanting during a game at the Jungle on March 26.

His Honour Judge Rodney Grant, who chaired the tribunal, accused Castleford of failing to take steps to stop the chanting, identify the perpetrators, challenge the chanting or undertake a meaningful inquiry. Castleford were given 15 days to appeal against the verdict, something they have decided to do.

"I'd like to reiterate that Castleford Tigers is not a homophobic club," said chief executive Richard Wright.

"We are not appealing against the need to rid the sport of homophobic chanting; we firmly support the RFL's Respect Policy and carry out projects in the community delivering equality and diversity values.

"The club is one of the most robust in Super League at promoting an inclusive environment for all sections of the community and we pride ourselves on this fact. I cannot stress it more that we do not condone homophobic chanting in any situation.

"We are, however, appealing against the disproportion of the fine compared with the charges put forward."

The club are being represented by Rod Findlay of sports law firm McDaniel & Co, who added: "Just as the chanting itself was wrong, this decision is also inappropriate and a £40,000 fine is wholly disproportionate to the events.

"The DVD confirms that this was three faint, short bursts of chanting, each of five seconds duration, over a period of four minutes. Two of the chants were drowned out by PA announcements and the third stopped very shortly after commencing as there was no support for it. This combined total of 15 seconds of chanting late in the game from a small section of the crowd prompted only one complaint to the RFL after the match and no one complained on the day.

"All season the club has had a process for dealing with obscene chanting and unacceptable behaviour. It has worked well in the past on the rare occasions that it has been necessary."

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