Pretty much. It never crossed my mind that it was homophobic and I'd question the mind-frame of anyone who hears such a criticism of a referee and thinks homophobia. That said, Shaun needs to bear in mind that when at a televised game there's no such thing as a private comment, and a coach directly referring to the referee as corrupt, however offhandedly, isn't on. Slap on the wrist, maybe a fine.

This. Especially as coaches have been (ridiculously) fined for simply criticising referees performances in recent time.

Small fine, slap on the wrist, nothing to see here.

I don't think he was being homophobic. I was responding to a post which I believe suggested that homophobic or racial abuse should not be punished, even if the poster did not intend to mean that.

Ultimately he was being publicly critical of a referee so like others have said a fine and a slap on the wrist for Mr Wane.

The better team on the day won a good game of rugby. As for Yorkshire bitter, I personally prefer a nice glass (or several) of red wine!!

Anyone who thinks Wane has said "bent" in a homophobic context really needs to give their head a shake.

That said, professionals should not be going around calling match officials corrupt. It's not acceptable. Shaun Wane is not a fan on the stands. He is a member of staff at a professional rugby club that receives money from a governing body selling TV rights and sponsorship. A lot of that money comes from having a good image, of which effing and jeffing and calling referees bent damages. You can't go around saying things like that in most jobs, so let's leave the "freedom of speech" lark out of it and remember he's at work.

Small fine, slap in the wrist, don't do it again.

What was Peacock's punishment for saying exactly the same on a Sky match last year, I can't remember.

But for those that are crying "freedom of speech", freedom of speech does not mean you can say what you like without repercussion! Engage your brain cells and realise that you can't just say what you like whenever you like! The world would be a terrible place if that was the case!

This.

Don't like it when Jose Mourinho does it, and don't like it in SL either.

Spot on

If sky didn't have a fixation with constantly reminding us what the coaches look like, this thread wouldn't even exist.

Ah, so it's Sky's fault then!

You do like to make excuses, don't you!

Yeah, if you say so.

What exactly is your point then?

My point is, why do sky constantly feel the need to show the coaches sat in the stands? The same can be said of the incessant replays of every incident, regardless of how trivial.

I thought that's exactly what Freedom of speech was.
I appreciate a certain level of tact is necessary, but that should be up to the individual, not the authorities.

Don't see what the problem is really. Wane's reactions are always pretty entertaining.

Yep, Stevo has come out with a few amusing comments about them this season.
His "I thought he was going to break out singing I'm the king of the swingers" comment a few weeks ago being my personal favourite

There is no such thing as Freedom of Speech, anywhere. Every Government restricts speech to some degree.

So do refs.

i agree with this!
it's so frustrating when you want to watch the next play, say after a big hit or bit of biff but instead we get a replay of the aforementioned incident, and i don't want to see a coach's reaction to every dropped ball or mistake.

I like to see repeated shots of Wane just to reinforce my own prejudices.

Made me chuckle...

So if I were to find out all of your personal details, because you think I should have the right to a complete freedom of speech, I can just post it all online? Bank details, pin number, the lot?

The data protection act stops that freedom of speech. And a bloody good job.

There are lots of laws that prevent people from being allowed to just day what they like. And to be honest it's a bloody good job. You're not allowed to go around calling people what you like or share information. It can be bloody dangerous!

I prefer the American system. Over here it's too easy for the powerful to use freedom of speech legislation to bludgeon the powerless.

To be fair to Wane, all coaches probley shout abuse about refs whilst sat in the stands. He just had to be more careful as he was on Sky Sports. Bit unfair if he got into trouble or even fined. He should just be reminded to be more careful on the televised games as viewers and people could be offended.