Me too!

Dear Sir/Madam,

With reference to Gabby Logan's sports show in which she interviewed Scott Quinnell regarding the imminent switch of rugby codes by former Lions and Wales captain Gareth Thomas. I was absolutely dismayed at one of the question she put to the former Wales rugby Union and Wigan Rugby League forward.

Mrs. Logan pointed to the potential problems that Gareth Thomas would receive from Rugby League players and crowds alike regarding the relatively recent announcement that he was a homosexual. Her question was particularly ill informed, and quite derogatory towards rugby league.

A few minutes of research would have revealed to Mrs. Logan, Rugby Leagues proud history of inclusivity regarding race and sexuality. Far from passing this off as lazy journalism, I believe this was not only totally unprofessional but worse, personally motivated by her preferences and prejudices.

As a sports fan, sports teacher as well as a rugby league supporter, I am often sickened by the latitude that the BBC and other sections of the media give to their journalists with regard to their self motivated attacks on other sports in particular Rugby Union journalists, attacking Rugby League.

I hope that Gabby Logan receives some form of reprimand!

In order to help educate Mrs. Logan, I have included a link below, which actually contains some facts she will find illuminating.

Rugby league to kick off anti-homophobia campaign[i (Don't know how to do the link thingy on here)[/i

“The Rugby Football League (RFL) has just become the first national governing body of a major sport to sign up to Stonewall's campaign against homophobia!”

snet an email to her telling her what I thought of her and a more polite formal complaint to BBC.

I have also complained.
Thanks to those who provided the links.

The thing about complaining is that he is going to be abused in league, perhaps not with large scale chanting, but he'll find it tough, 'near the fences'.

and no one in their right mind would argue against that view.. but

What Gabby Logan aluded to was a sport which is less accepting, less inclusive and perhaps a little ignorant and backward of such issues.

The reality is that RL has been a standard bearer for inclusivity going right back to being the 1st sport to have a black National captain etc...

Her tone and phrasing were that of someone with an agenda, even if she does'nt know it, it's clearly there.

less insulting but equally as unforgivable is her and her backroom team of reearchers, lack of research into the subject. Without counting, I'm guessing she only asked about 6 questions on the subject, this is a live BBC Radio show going out Nationwide. The least I expect is that its presumably well paid presenter has put some spadework in so that the meagre number of insights she poses are factualy based.

Complaint sent.

to answer your question DAIHAPPY the only bloke to have captained GB in league and the British Lions in Union is Dai Watkins - of Newport RFC and Salford RFL fame ( who just happens to be the Crusaders' President ) see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Watkins_(rugby)

to answer your question DAIHAPPY the only bloke to have captained GB in league and the British Lions in Union is Dai Watkins - of Newport RFC and Salford RFL fame ( who just happens to be the Crusaders' President ) see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Watkins_(rugby)

So has anyone received a response from the BBC yet?

No he won't, and not more so that in rugby union.

I have just sent a strongly worded e-mail to Ms Logan, i will post hre reply.

I find her comments disgraceful, it just shows what rugby league is up against.

There will be pockets of abuse in the crowd, perhaps by those not so sure of their own sexuality. Just as there is likely to be some supporters who are gay in the crowd there will be those who are homophobic.

Having said that I imagine most supporters wouldn't even see it as an issue.

having captained the British Lions, won 100 caps and scored 40 tries for Wales...........and having "come out" in Wales where men are men (and sheep are nervous) and jumped into the crowd to sort-out a git who was having a go at a fellow player in France....Alfies been there, done it and got the T-shirt.

What a signing for the Crusaders - A PR dream come true

I have personally seen GT abused by his own Welsh fans in Cardiff for his sexuality after an International match (a good few years before it became a National story) and to be fair were he not being held back by a couple of his International Colleagues i think the lads that were throwing the abuse would have spent a night or 2 in the hospital.

There are morons in all sports but they are a minority and I feel he will generally be welcomed to our code by 99.9% of the fans who hopefully appreciate his ability in Union, enjoy watching him play successfully in League and realise he is here to raise the profile of the game.

As a Welshman and a union and league supporter (though losing interest in the 15 man game), I would like to express how out of touch and pointless Gaby Logan is with even welsh Union fans. She looks okay (as Frankie Boyle said "for a transvestite"icon_wink.gif but has the "personality" of a door and the intellect to match.

As jonh says, there are morons in all sports. They are generally called sports journalists and Gaby is amongst the most moronic of those, only gaining her job through the reputation of her famous father (John Toshack for those that don't know) and her husband (Scots 2rugger" player Kenny Logan).

Alfie has been playing rugby long enough to be able to take any abuse on the field that fans can level at him. Hell if he can handle a hostile Newport crowd, he won't blink at the funnier, good spirited abuse that league supporters offer (even Evil Solly the shame of Salford).

Admittedly he wasn't "out" then, but i don't think it'll make any diff.

The diicks will still be diicks and the decent majority will also remain so.

Complaint duly submitted! I encourage everyone to do the same.

Scandal!

Good post.

I bet that came as a shock to Terry Yorath.

love it

You mean you hadn't heard? John Terry's not the first to ......

Oh BUGGRIT! Busted!

It's a fair cop guv, my mistake.



With that level of slack reporting perhaps I could get a job on Gaby's research team.

Head of research

I take it no one got a reply from the BBC yet then!

No.

Gabby Toshack ...

If I remember my "gossip from the 70's" correctly.......the rumours around Merseyside at the time, were that Toshack was ******* Steve Heighway's missus not Yorath's.