Exacally lots of questions if he is found guilty cannot see us accepting it.

After the game there was no mention in the refs report, then a social media witch hunt begins and it suddenly appears in his report.

If he did hear it why no action on field he didn't even speak to hardaker about it

If he heard it why do they need a lip reader to be employed.

I wonder what the criteria is to "charge"
On the balance of probability or beyond all resonable doubt?

I thought the whole uproar about this subject was upsetting people who are offended by the comment. If NOBODY but the ref (and they interviewed Saints player who said he heard nothing), heard anything, and even the ref is saying he doesn't know exactly, hence the appointment of a lip reader. Who exactly is offended by these comments to warrant any action by the RFL?

No problem with the statement being "24 hours late". Perhaps Leeds wanted to carefully work out the facts of things before issuing a media release, unlike the RFL.

Gary Hetherington is now having trial by social media too

Its easy to think they are corrupt of have an agenda For the most part its simply rank incompetence at Red Hall. They hold back our sport to an astonishing degree, I really think its time for the SL clubs for the good of the game to think about a break away organisation like the top football clubs did. Darts suffered form rank incompetence holding their game back and was run by old farts in suits, The player took matters in their own hands and formed the PDC. Rugby league has reached that tipping point. Will anyone be surprised if Hardaker announces at the end of the season that hes had enough and is off to a professional competition like the NRL or even the RFU. He probably wouldnt be the last either.

Silverwoods position is untenable. He has either neglected to report the most important indiscretion during the course of the match to the match commisioner (and failed to act at the time) or he has made something up after the report was completed. The original referees report must be released to the public. He has also suggested he heard the offending remark. If thats the case why are the RFL bringing in a lip reader? Dont they believe or trust the integrity of their own match official or is the reality that he didnt hear anything, has altered and added to his report and has been called out on this lie by Leeds? If this proves to be the case be must be sacked any authority or integrity will be gone, Period.

I'm loving the Wigan RL Fans account that's @ing the Met Police in all of their tweets about Hardaker. There's going to be some confused coppers in London.

Can anyone remember what Richard Silverwood did off the field at a Huddersfield/Leeds game a couple of years back? Don't think anyone needed lip readers for that.

Just seen he is the appointed video ref for Friday. He really should be stood down to elsewhere, that is not right at all.

@SilversRef - I'd love to comment but I can't.

They are also doing it on totalrlfansforum all these people would be all lining up to sign him and Gary has now got them all in a quandary

This is a shambles and it could get very messy, I'm fairly sure Hetherington wouldn't have issued that statement without seeking some advice from legal bods!

These situations can rapidly escalate , this has the potential to do so. High court here we come.

I've just said the same thing on Twitter and got hounded for it...

5 minutes ago @SilversRef couldn't comment...

"2 sides to every story. Shouldn't always believe everything that's written !! "

A formal complaint should be made about silverwood and his integrity, he should not be ref at all until the issues clearly highlighted by GH are addressed let alone a ref in a Leeds game. Typical RFL though

A Rhinos Fan has just told me to shut up for saying he shouldn't be anywhere near our game on Friday.

Apparently if what I said is true Zak should also be banned while it's all sorted...

Thoughts?!

It's a disgrace. The RFL and the opposition fans can go f*ck themselves.

RFL "we can't be seen to investigate based on a ridiculous Twitter storm can we"

Silversref "do you need it in the report? I heard something but not sure what"

Interesting development.

I think both Hardaker and Silverwood should be respected and treated properly. I don't want to see a witch hunt of a ref and I don't want to see a witch hunt of a player.

I think Leeds have raised a lot of good points, but maybe those points should have been made in conversation directly with the RFL and not in a virtual declaration of war.

IMHO the Leeds Statement is valid and is necessary, given their assertions, and again I think Silverwood should not be put in charge on Friday.

Like the lad's next move is going to be within British RL after this .

Probably but equally I am glad they have the RFL came out first in the media, to be honest I don't and never have trusted red hall, at least it's out in the media now they have to respond, couldn't see us getting much joy speaking to them behind closed doors.
I still don't think silverwood should be anywhere near a Leeds game till this is sorted out

The only thing that matters is the player. He is the one persecuted due to the RFL's actions when there was no need for them to make anything public, and the questionable actions of the referee.

The declaration of war had no choice, due to the actions of the other parties. They put the club in that position.

But where one party is innocent until proven otherwise, there is serious questions now about the other party. Therefore there should be a clear investigation. His position is untenable.

If something comes out of this later that clearly makes Hardaker guilty then he will be dealt with then. But until then he is innocent, yet is the only party who has being victimised and persecuted.

Cracking post!!

When deploring witch hunts, there's nothing more imaginative than countering with a retaliatory witch hunt of one's own.