Marler: World Rugby accused of 'witch hunt'
This is the view of the Rugby Players' Association.
Harlequins player Marler faces a misconduct hearing on April 5, after verbally abusing Welsh counterpart Samson Lee during England's 25-21 win over Wales in the Six Nations earlier this month.
Six Nations organisers declined to punish Marler, despite his admission of guilt, which prompted global governing body World Rugby to send his case before an independent judicial committee.
The RPA said on Tuesday they feel that the 25-year-old has been unfairly treated.
"As people throughout the game know, Joe is no racist," said RPA Chief Executive Damian Hopley in a strongly worded statement.
"He made a comment when provoked and is now being hung out to dry in this excruciating media witch hunt, whilst World Rugby have intervened against the Rugby Football Union and the Six Nations.
"To put Joe in this position after he apologised to the opposition player, admitted his error of judgement and also received a severe rebuke from the RFU and the tournament smacks of double jeopardy."
Hopley added: "We will be watching the ensuing process extremely carefully, but the thought of World Rugby calling for yet another hearing and therefore prolonging this episode defies belief."
RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie said that the Six Nations organisers' probe should have been the "end of the matter".
But Wales voiced concerns that Marler had escaped punishment for a comment they consider racist.
Under World Rugby codes, verbal abuse of a player based on religion, race, colour, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation carries an entry-point sanction of a four-week ban.
The RPA statement in full: RPA Group CEO, Damian Hopley, said: "Now that the World Rugby hearing date has finally been set, over three weeks since the matter was concluded by the 6 Nations, it is important to place on the record how we have watched the events around this ongoing disciplinary process unfold in a state of disbelief.
"As people throughout the game know, Joe is no racist. He made a comment when provoked and is now being hung out to dry in this excruciating media witch hunt whilst World Rugby have intervened against the RFU and the Six Nations.
"To put Joe in this position after he apologised to the opposition player, admitted his error of judgement and also received a severe rebuke from the RFU and the Tournament smacks of double jeopardy. Everyone recognises there is no place in the game for these provocations but let's be absolutely clear, Joe is not racially motivated and this matter should have been closed when it was originally dealt with three weeks ago.
"We will be watching the ensuing process extremely carefully but the thought of World Rugby calling for yet another hearing and therefore prolonging this episode defies belief. The apology was accepted, Joe held his hand up and it is now time to draw a line and move on."
Additional reporting by AFP
