Northampton

craigsman says...

@qwerty - no it isn't (as an English fan) ok to suggest that. And if you are referring to a certain Times correspondent I can't stand him as much as you. I think the difference is that, as a representative of a club, Sharman can't make potentially offensive remarks in public.

For what it is worth, I think it is offensive given the multicultural nature of the UK and the fact that he can't even be bothered to find out which country Mo originally hails from (Somalia) and is lumping all non-whites into a group that is 'probably from Pakistan'.

Re Callum Clarke - clearly there is a perceived difference at Saints between general thuggery on the pitch and the public image off the pitch. Or he is better at weasling his way out of being fired.

Posted 12:04 29th August 2012

APV1 says...

Wasn't Mujati's tweet last year accusing other players of being racist? I seem to remember a story that he'd been called a baboon (or similar) by other players and tweeted about it.

Clark should've been banned for life and this is nothing more than sharman being able to get a reference. Poor show by him.

Posted 15:20 28th August 2012

irishaussie says...

if he got fired for that comment, in the eternal words of Brian O'Driscoll "that's an absolutely ridiculous decision". My sympathy to Sharman, his comment has been sensationalised by the liberal media, people need to lose self-importance and stop being offended by every little thing and realize they're engaging in a form of self-indulgence.

Posted 20:14 25th August 2012

Jediboy says...

Lardon - good point. No balance here.

I'm a Saints fan and won't miss Sharman - never rated him.

I think Clarke should have been banned for life and if not the Saints should have got rid of him. No place for that in rugby.

Posted 07:26 25th August 2012

lardon says...

They cut him for a Tweet, Yet Callum Clarke keeps his job after purposely breaking an opposing players arm.. Whats going on??

Posted 21:50 24th August 2012

Jediboy says...

Bones7 - it does mention his twitter shenanigans.

Posted 17:48 24th August 2012

Jediboy says...

Coincidence about the timing of this. I suspect we will never know the real reason he's gone.

I'd like to think that Saints would distance themselves from any racist behaviour of any sort. But if that's the case I think they should have said so. But this is just speculation on my part. (No mention of Mujati's tweeting scandal so maybe it was the injury - who knows??)

Anyway, I don't think Sharman will be missed at all.

Posted 17:12 24th August 2012

heathy says...

This story is one that can be taken both ways. Was he pushed because of the injury or because of the tweet? Well, it is true that Sharman is a long term injured player (well, long term in rugby speak as to his usefulness on the field). The club would possibly have been a little more lenient regarding his contract had he not been stupid with his tweet. Then again, we will never know. Why on earth professional sportspersons put themselves in these situations I will never know as it is just stupid. What do they really expect? Anyway, Northampton are taking a no nonesense approach as they look to build for the future and that means the players they have on their books and those that they want on their books. This follows on from the Aussie back, Cameron Shepherd. I actually agree with this. This latest issue has allowed Sharman to 'save face' and go before it got uncomfortable. Shepherd's issue is his own making and he will get absolutely nowhere with trying to sue.

Posted 14:35 24th August 2012

Bones7 says...

What a joke, absolutely no mention of his high-profile twitter shenanigans. His knee injury was a convenient smokescreen for Northampton to avoid more public association with disciplinary problems.

Posted 13:29 24th August 2012