Legal Updates

RUGBY PLAYERS’ BEHAVIOUR UNDER SCRUTINY

28/11/2011

There has been a lot of coverage in the media recently following England’s early return from the Rugby World Cup. As rugby has become more professional then the scrutiny has become more intense, and none more so than when it involved the husband of the Queen’s grand-daughter.
There have been discussions about rugby and inevitably the legal implications arising from the England squad’s activities. Our very own Richard Moon was called upon to talk on the radio as an expert sports and employment lawyer to provide his thoughts when BBC CWR considered what had been reported from the Rugby World Cup.
As head of our Sports Law Unit and as a former England rugby player and RFU Disciplinary Chairman Richard is uniquely placed to comment. After his interview, Richard said: “Rugby has moved to another level over the last 10 years with the increased attention and scrutiny focused on the players. It has been reported that the England squad signed up to potentially legally binding agreements relating to individual behaviour whilst they were away at the World Cup, and this means that they have contractual obligations which the RFU can enforce.”
“What the RFU can and have to do to is to act within their own guidelines and contract entered into with the players when looking to enforce breaches by any of the players. Players have a right of appeal should sanctions be imposed, and one thing that their advisers will do is check that the RFU have acted properly in arriving at their decision and that any penalty is proportionate to the offence.”
“The fact that lawyers are being asked to comment on such matters shows how high profile the sport has become and how much of a role lawyers play.”
One question did stump Richard in the interview when he was asked what the Queen would have made of the reported behaviour of some of the English players. Richard added: “It was a question I certainly wasn’t expecting, but I daresay that she was not amused!”