Mark Cooper 8 Game Ban

[Jim]

He apparently got more than the minimum for not showing any remorse. I suppose if he had pleaded guilty and grovelled he might have got away with a shorter ban.

They are not going to change their minds, especially in view of the "not showed any remorse" bit.

[Yanto]

Is it just me, or is it rather telling that 2 of the three people on the investigation panel are women? Or am I now at risk of being banned from HS for 8 games?

[Desmond2-2]

Out of interest, is he in breach of contract,and could the club sack him?

[Matty]

Not sure how people can defend it really.

[Bigfathoss]

That absolutely was NOT a sexist remark. He has not made any comment directed towards the gender of the liner. 'It's a man's game' is a perfectly valid and well used phrase.
I DO think he was wrong in complaining at all if there has been a head injury. The game should be stopped...but that remark was not sexist.

[Fazered]

Sounds like a chant for Saturday

[SKIPPER]

Is it just me, or is it rather telling that 2 of the three people on the investigation panel are women? Or am I now at risk of being banned from HS for 8 games?

+1 Surely a panel investigating a 'sexist' complaint should have been an even number not a skewed odd number predominantly female.Also noticeable that people saying on here 'he deserved it' are those who would like him sacked purely from a footballing viewpoint. Personally I see absolutely nothing 'sexist' in the remark, and neither party is denying what was said , with a punishment far in excess of some players get for leg-breaking career- ending tackles.

[Hitthebar22]

That absolutely was NOT a sexist remark. He has not made any comment directed towards the gender of the liner. 'It's a man's game' is a perfectly valid and well used phrase.
I DO think he was wrong in complaining at all if there has been a head injury. The game should be stopped...but that remark was not sexist.

Yes, but the above is not what was at the centre of the charge against Cooper. The words “you need to realise” said supposedly immediately before “it’s a man’s game” and directed at the assistant ref, is what gave rise to her reporting it immediately to the ref, Cooper being sent off, and eventually finding himself before the Commission. The Commission found that the words “you need to realise” were crucial. It’s clear that that was what they were concentrating on mainly, when you read the judgement.

[Hitthebar22]

Paragraph 45 of the written reasons sets out what they found was proved against Cooper. The minimum ban in those circumstances was/is 6 matches, the maximum 12.
Depending on whether there is an appeal, at the moment he is found guilty of uttering a discriminatory remark. That does not sit with the clubs continual reminders that BarrowAFC does not condone discrimination of any kind.
I think the best way forward is least said soonest mended, serve the ban, keep us up, and reset for next season.

[Lightflood]

An appeal would be an utter waste of time and money. I'm not too sure the FA wouldn't be too impressed with the club in general in todays world either if they did !

[MisterPleasant]

That absolutely was NOT a sexist remark. He has not made any comment directed towards the gender of the liner. 'It's a man's game' is a perfectly valid and well used phrase.
I DO think he was wrong in complaining at all if there has been a head injury. The game should be stopped...but that remark was not sexist.

Yes, but the above is not what was at the centre of the charge against Cooper. The words “you need to realise” said supposedly immediately before “it’s a man’s game” and directed at the assistant ref, is what gave rise to her reporting it immediately to the ref, Cooper being sent off, and eventually finding himself before the Commission. The Commission found that the words “you need to realise” were crucial. It’s clear that that was what they were concentrating on mainly, when you read the judgement.

Yeah, that's exactly it, Hitthebar22. You've got to hand it to him, though, because that's some defence: "I thought our club captain was making a meal of his head injury". Nice. And, no, I'm not one of those that want him sacked.

[blumooncrab]

So if the lines person had identified as a man , would it be sexist ? What a load of rubbish. The words ‘you need to realise’ are totally superfluous and I would say are directed at the person not the sex of that person . If he’d said it to a male linesman it means exactly the same thing. Linesperson saying she felt it meant he thought she shouldn’t be there. Complete rubbish but for goodness sake if you take offence at that stay at home ( and do the washing ! ) .

[Hitthebar22]

So if the lines person had identified as a man , would it be sexist ? What a load of rubbish. The words ‘you need to realise’ are totally superfluous and I would say are directed at the person not the sex of that person . If he’d said it to a male linesman it means exactly the same thing. Linesperson saying she felt it meant he thought she shouldn’t be there. Complete rubbish but for goodness sake if you take offence at that stay at home ( and do the washing ! ) .

Well, the point is the world has changed/is changing, like it or lump it. Parts of footy are not a totally male preserve anymore as perhaps they were. Lots and lots of folk in the stand near where I sit who are not men. What the “linesperson’” [sic] thought isn’t relevant because it’s an objective not a subjective test. I’m a big fan of Cooper and want him to stay, but looks a bit like he’s bang to rights on this one, tbh, having read the 50+ plus judgement carefully…. “you need to realise” are not at all superfluous words. They are central to his ban, and the implication of their meaning is pretty clear, even though (if he said them, which he denied) they were in the heat of the moment. The ban is too long. Without those words he wouldn’t have been reported. I repeat in my opinion that it’s less said soonest mended. No word at all on the club website - impossibly difficult for them to deal with.

[Moribund]

So if the lines person had identified as a man , would it be sexist ? What a load of rubbish. The words ‘you need to realise’ are totally superfluous and I would say are directed at the person not the sex of that person . If he’d said it to a male linesman it means exactly the same thing. Linesperson saying she felt it meant he thought she shouldn’t be there. Complete rubbish but for goodness sake if you take offence at that stay at home ( and do the washing ! ) .

Would he have said it to a man? No. Therefore it is bloody obviously a sexist remark. Case closed.

[liverpoolann]

I am all for equal opportunities etc for women but this lady needs to grow a backbone.She thought remark directed at her.? She should have said possible head injury more important than his opinion now shut up or I report you.Too delicate a flower and just reinforces some men’s view that women shouldn’t be involved in game as officials .Hope she never comes Holker st again she will get plenty of criticism/ banter etc from sections of support.Cooper been dealt with very harshly.Far too much political correctness in the world.