Last week saw a number of players, coaches and officials from Howe Of Fife banned after an “initiation” ceremony on a team bus went horribly wrong.
Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive Mark Dodson said: “The behaviour of those involved in this incident, including several individuals in positions of authority at the club, was completely unacceptable.
“Scottish Rugby has been proactive to ensure a full, independent disciplinary process was conducted and that measures are put in place to deliver a change of culture at the club.
“The actions of those involved have absolutely no place in our sport. Significant sanctions have been applied in this matter and Scottish Rugby will not hesitate to take action against any club, official or player behaving in a similarly unacceptable manner.”
In October this year the RFU issued a statement saying it planned to crackdown on initiation ceremonies in university teams which are contributing to an estimated 10,000 players dropping out between school and university rugby.
Elsewhere in rugby a professional player was banned for using a racial slur on the field of play, Nigel Owens and Gareth Thomas have both been open about homophobic abuse and fans of one of the top clubs in England wear racially insensitive costumes. Often these things are too easily dismissed as “banter” but we want to hear about your experiences of behaviour in rugby to find out whether these are isolated incidents or the tip of the iceberg.
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