Stephen Ferris in trouble now too?

First topic message reminder :

Cryptic announcement on the Ulster website:

Ulster Rugby is aware that Stephen Ferris was involved in an off field incident in Belfast back in September 2009.

As this incident is now subject to legal proceedings, neither party will be making any further comment except to say that Ulster Rugby has given and will continue to give Stephen its full support in this matter.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/9467.php

Crikey!

Seems pretty serious! If you make any comments on this, please obviously be aware of the legality of any speculation!

Maesteg - ABH is a very serious criminal offence which can lead to a custodial sentence; that's not just "japes" or "unruly behaviour".

Cari wrote:Maesteg - ABH is a very serious criminal offence which can lead to a custodial sentence; that's not just "japes" or "unruly behaviour".

Cari so much of this is occurring and it is all made such a massive deal of, it is hard to know whether it is or it is not... In the press reports it seems as though if it is not an English player it is serious and if it is an England Player it is not serious...

To be honest I'd be with Cari on this one. ABH is a serious enough criminal offence, and that's in normal circumstances. If (and I'm not saying he was) Ferris himself was involved it's even more serious. ONE full clean punch from him would so some serious damage. He doesn't seem the type of person to get involved in this kind of thing so hopefully it's completely untrue but you never know. Even the nicest person in the world can have a very bad day and, with a bit of drink and grief, can become something and do something that they normally wouldn't.

I agree it is a very serious offence but he's pleaded innocent and he's innocent until proven guilty. I don't think there's any point speculating and hopefully the truth will come out in due course and justice will be done.

In all of the recent articles the rugby star named as a guilty buffoon eventually is proved innocent, or even victim.

Mike Phillips decided not to press charges, Andy Powell was attacked by a gang of Soccer fans, Gavin Henson was accused of bawling with team mates in the press, but the incident apparently never even happened.

All hype, no substance, all claimed there innocence and all seem to have been correct.

Ferris didn't seem to get annoyed when that french lad tried to steal his eyes,,, twice. Model of self control

Correct me if im wrong but if it can be proved that the other lads swung a few digs then assault goes out the window.

maestegmafia wrote:In all of the recent articles the rugby star named as a guilty buffoon eventually is proved innocent, or even victim.

Mike Phillips decided not to press charges, Andy Powell was attacked by a gang of Soccer fans, Gavin Henson was accused of bawling with team mates in the press, but the incident apparently never even happened.

All hype, no substance, all claimed there innocence and all seem to have been correct.

Hmm not sure if what you say is accurate here. Philips is banned indefinitely by the WRU and there are photographs. Henson did have a bust up with his team mates and was given the heave ho by Toulon as was Powell by Wasps. I'm not sure how any of these players were proved innocent?

In this case no details have yet been released so no one is really in a position to speculate what may have happened.

Smoke and fire comes to mind. Something bad obviously did happen around Ferris at that time but there is no public proof that he was in any way responsible or had any direct part in it. Crucially Ulster are standing behind him which suggests that they are confident of his position

Phillips there are pictures and maybe there was a need to make an example of someone.

Henson has history and if he didnt fit in with the clubs which let him go thats up to them to decide based on first hand experience, what we think he did or didnt do has no relevance. Saracens and Toulon gave him a chance so they must have been relatively open minded at the start.

Powell is much more interesting in that he seemed to be doing OK at Wasps and the guy who was with him, Payne, has been retained. There was film footage of what happened and I guess what was in there was of sufficient concern to Wasps that they let him go.