The Rugby Players' Association (RPA) has released an extremely strongly-worded statement in defence of Jor Marler. The English forward has been accused of a racial slur towards Welsh prop Samson Lee, allegedly calling him "gypsy boy". Lee and Wales coach Warren Gatland played down the incident in its aftermath, with a Six Nations commission exonerating Marler following an investigating into the incident.
World Rugby, however, last week confirmed that they were investigating the incident further, and that Marler will face an independent World Rugby misconduct hearing.
Ahead of the hearing, the RPA have forcefully come to Marler's defence. Here is the statement in full:
Now that the World Rugby hearing date has finally been set, over three weeks since the matter was concluded by the 6 Nations, it is important to place on the record how we have watched the events around this ongoing disciplinary process unfold in a state of disbelief.
As people throughout the game know, Joe is no racist. He made a comment when provoked and is now being hung out to dry in this excruciating media witch hunt whilst World Rugby have intervened against the RFU and the 6 Nations.
To put Joe in this position after he apologised to the opposition player, admitted his error of judgement and also received a severe rebuke from the RFU and the Tournament smacks of double jeopardy. Everyone recognises there is no place in the game for these provocations but let’s be absolutely clear, Joe is not racially motivated and this matter should have been closed when it was originally dealt with three weeks ago.
We will be watching the ensuing process extremely carefully but the thought of World Rugby calling for yet another hearing and therefore prolonging this episode defies belief. The apology was accepted, Joe held his hand up and it is now time to draw a line and move on.
The claim that Marler is "being hung out to dry in this excruciating media witch hunt" is a very strong claim by the RPA. The belief of the RPA is echoed by Ian Ritchie, the CEO of the RFU, who told the Telegraph the day before Marler was cited by World Rugby that the player should not face further discipline.
