Campaign To Remove Rory Best As Captain Spreads Ahead Of France Game
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#NotMyCaptain.
Fans have taken to social media in the last 36 hours or so in a crusade against Rory Best, ahead of Ireland’s crucial Six Nations opener with France in Paris, stating his position as captain is no longer tenable.
The campaign is a direct result of the Ireland captain attending the rape trial of Stuart Olding and Paddy Jackson as Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday, the day the alleged victim detailed her testimony.
Best’s decision to attend, along with fellow Ireland teammate Iain Henderson, has provoked a huge amount of debate. Some feel there’s nothing wrong with him supporting his teammates, while some others feel it was a poor judgement call.
For the latter, it’s now reached a stage where some feel his position as Ireland captain has now been compromised. Both Best and Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt were asked to comment about his attendance in recent days, but refused to do so.
Step down as Captain. You have let the position down by attending the trial on the very day a 19 year girl gave evidence saying she was raped. Not just a lack of judgement. Unacceptable #notmycaptain
— Roughan Mac Namara (@RoughanMac) February 1, 2018
“Shoulder to shoulder” unless youre 21, female and about to give testimony about the worst night of your life. #notmycaptain
— Aisling (@Aisling_Pash) February 2, 2018
First time ever where I won’t be supporting @IrishRugby for the @SixNationsRugby after what Rory did yest? He needs to explain why he decided to go to court the day the alleged victim gave her evidence? Is this what @VodafoneIreland and yourselves support also? #notmycaptain
— Aoife Griffin (@AoifeG) February 1, 2018
I don't think we'd have seen BOD or POC in this situation. Don't want to tag them in this thread as I'd say they're hiding light years away from it. As a man I just can't get my head around it #notmycaptain
— Jonnywire (@jonnywire13) February 2, 2018
Passionate about rugby, but can not and will not ignore the fact that our captain refuses to address his questionable actions. He should be thoroughly ashamed. Irish rugby has handled this awful situation with very little compassion #NotMyCaptain
— Katie Healy (@whatkhdid) February 2, 2018
Regardless of the outcome of this case, these men have shown they have no respect for women in the way they discussed sex in those messages. They have shown their true colours. And Rory supported that publicly. #NotMyCaptain
— Orla (@orlabaz) February 2, 2018
As a supporter, attendee of games and season ticket holder I demand he speaks up or is stripped of the Captaincy and place on the team…Rory if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem, please RT #NotMyCaptain
— Daragh Mulligan (@dazmanOnline) February 2, 2018
The actual gaul of @IrishRugby to put this up without addressing the issues. No accountability from @RoryBest2 for his actions & bringing @SixNationsRugby into distribute. He’s tarnished the game this weekend & upset the nation with his public support of those lot #notmycaptain https://t.co/u6YUSyQx01
— Michelle Hegarty (@shoegalshell) February 2, 2018
Regardless of the outcome of the case, it was highly inappropriate of @RoryBest2 to attend that trial. It’s akin to intimidation. There’s something amiss within @IrishRugby #notmycaptain
— Susie Dardis (@soosied) February 2, 2018
I understand what you're saying, but he is the captain of MY country's rugby team. He has a duty as captain to be present both mentally & physically. Bot more than all that jazz, his appearance at the trial was unjustifiable and selfish and possibly even threatening #notmycaptain
— Jonnywire (@jonnywire13) February 2, 2018
