Question Author
I do wish people would stop promoting rugby as the game without fault. This is the sport where the 'sneaky' is rife, the 'sly punch', 'eye gouging', and of course the simulation that was discovered later, the infamous 'bloodgate' scandal.
Football has its faults, but so does rugby!!!
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I wouldn't dream of promoting rugby as the game without fault, far from it.
I'm just pointing out that when players transgress in rugby, the penalties are harsh in comparison to football, but that's always been the rugby way.
Look at Dylan Hartley last summer. Called the ref a "f***ing cheat", he was subsequently banned for 11 weeks and missed the Lions tour. How many players would be left on the field if that happened in football?
After Bloodgate, Dean Richards was banned for 3 seasons. What does Pardew get, a short ban from the touchline for headbutting a player?!
How many times has football been embroiled in fixing/betting scandals? It's an almost yearly occurrence!
If the footballing authorities took the same stance as the IRB when it comes to cheating and simulation it would make a massive difference in the way the game is played and the ethos of those who partake in such skullduggery, that's all.