If that photo of Rory Best was from today, then I think that’s a really bad judgement call. I understand wanting to support a friend, but he’s also the @IrishRugby captain. Three days out from start of the #SixNations to be appearing in that court, not good.
On whether to support a friend who’s been accused of the things that are on the table here, I think everyone will have a different opinion on that. Some people would disown, some support until court decision, and some people would support a friend regardless.
If the timing was different & there wasn’t a tournament starting on Saturday, would this show of support be okay? I’m not sure. Particularly since the girl involved specifically expressed fear about going up against Ulster rugby (although they might not have known that).
In case it’s unclear, I think the victim here is incredibly brave to speak up and proceed with prosecution. This kind of scenario has played out many times before, with star athletes getting away with every crime under the sun. What was -allegedly- done to her is indefensible.
Just follow-up on some points on the Rory Best situation: the principle of "innocent until proven guilty" still applies, in law. But that's a legal concept & applies to their court case - it doesn't apply to this situation.
We're talking about the Ulster and Ireland captain's attendance, not about whether the accused are guilty or not. This is about where a senior representative of an organisation attends the trial when the accuser is known to have feared going up against the organisation.
There are other ways to be supportive. This was the single worst possible way he could have shown support, on the worst day possible - the alleged victim's 1st day of testimony. Rory Best just shouldn't have gone.
Whatever about Henderson & Gilroy going as individuals, Best is Ulster & Ireland captain. He simply can't be in a position where he looks like he might be intimidating a rape victim on her first day of testimony when it's known she mentioned fear of going up again Ulster rugby.
Journalists are 100% right to ask if the head coach thought it was a good idea for his captain to be appearing at a friends rape trial three days before the start of huge tournament. It was a fair question, and discussing the team captain’s attendance is not a "legal issue".
Joe Schmidt is in a tough position here. I'd say he is furious with Best, but can't take any action this close to the 6N start, so can't have anything other than a private word with Best. It could have repercussions down the line. It showed very poor judgement from a captain.
I think Schmidt is in a no-win situation by commenting on Best's court attendance which is why he fobbed off the question as a legal issue. I certainly don't read it as implied approval of Best going there. I seriously doubt he gave permission for Best to go to the court.
As for Best's "no comment", I understand that too. He should know he's messed up royally here, and was probably read the riot act by Joe and is afraid of saying anything that can further mess up an already bad situation.
I think there will be fallout from this - have a quick look at #notmycaptain if you have any doubt about how angry people - are about this.
Ok, now back to my usual rugby tweets spamming your twitter feed for the rest of the weekend. C'mon Ireland!
Ok, now back to my usual rugby tweets spamming your twitter feed for the rest of the weekend. C'mon Ireland!
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