Jacques Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 WELL, actually I will but out of interest why not provide some evidence of me defending either Darcy or Neil as opposed to suggesting posters stick to the facts. It's not for me to determine whether Darcy is guilty or not. He failed a test, was charged with an offence and had his day in court, so to speak, just as any civilian would having been breathalysed on the roadside. My complaint is that this matter could and should have been done and dusted months ago. And certainly not because it involves Darcy Ward. As for Neil, Twitter can become a dangerous social tool when people make spontaneous comments without fully engaging their brain first. And in my own view some of his tweets (and I doubt whether I have seen or heard them all) were foolish at best but no doubt the FIM will make their determination on the facts rather than what is flying around in the ether. There are times when I cringe at some of the comments posted on the bsf, especially when they are of a personal nature, but that seems to be the way of the world right now. Anything involving Poole, Middlo or Ward seems to inflame passions that might otherwise be kept in check. I don't pretend that my opinion even after 50 (not 40!) years involved with speedway is worth more than that of anyone else. But given that the Jury President and referee in Latvia would have sent details of Ward's failed test to Geneva within 48 hours, surely it is reasonable to expect that the FIM could determine a course of action far more quickly than they did. They have plenty of top lawyers at their beck and call who could surely quickly advise whether the correct procedure was carried out. Incidentally, I don't think the suggestion that the test was carried out by a policeman (on or off duty) is factually correct. The FIM assigned doctor was present. Ward should have been charged, given 30 days to respond and a hearing, if necessary, convened within another 30 days. It's not rocket science. It's about time we got some real investigative journalism, other than than the boring party line dirge that most of us know weeks before the SS prints it.. All the reporters I know of, are kissing Wards arse Mr Rising, rubs shoulders with the Speedway establishment on a daily/weekly basis and is not going to piss in his pot, so to speak . I'm being polite here I am sick to death of reading the same old sh!!t day in day out on here..Year on year! It's time to get rid of the old boys network.. ! This sport fails time and time again, because it's incestuous and seedy! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 (edited) These are the expected penalities that anyone would get in a civil court of law if found guilt of drink driving in the UK. Yes, but it seems highly likely that Darcy Ward would have been nowhere near the limit for drink driving in the UK (at least before the Latvian GP!). The limit for sport is negligible or zero, and whilst I agree that standards for motor racing need to be substantially more stringent than for driving a car on the road, you cannot completely equate what may be a marginal failure against a zero limit with common drink driving. They have plenty of top lawyers at their beck and call who could surely quickly advise whether the correct procedure was carried out. Incidentally, I don't think the suggestion that the test was carried out by a policeman (on or off duty) is factually correct. The FIM assigned doctor was present. Ward should have been charged, given 30 days to respond and a hearing, if necessary, convened within another 30 days. It's not rocket science. Yes, God knows why it takes so long, but then that's what happens when lawyers get involved. However, with your 50 years experience you should be aware that it's not unusual by FIM standards, and it's a distraction from the actual issue. Simply reporting the ramblings of Muddlo on the grounds of 'reporting all sides of the story', does not in this case provide a balanced story because obviously the FIM can't comment on a case in progress. That's why some editorial is needed to make the reader aware this is not an unusual or unduly lengthy procedure. More generally, I don't think it's beyond the bounds of possibility for a journalist of your standing to actually establish what the Darcy Ward argument is, and even publish it. An FIM tribunal is not a court of law, and it's hardly likely to prejudice his right to a fair trial. We saw the same things last week with the verbatim reporting of the laughable protestations of the BSPA over the visa issues. The bottom line is they're either very stupid or simply knew they were breaking the law and thought they could get away with it, but either way their ineptitude should have been roundly condemned by the "World's leading speedway magazine". Edited February 5, 2015 by Humphrey Appleby 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 (edited) Yes, but it seems highly likely that Darcy Ward would have been nowhere near the limit for drink driving in the UK (at least before the Latvian GP!). The limit for sport is negligible or zero, and whilst I agree that standards for motor racing need to be substantially more stringent than for driving a car on the road, you cannot completely equate what may be a marginal failure against a zero limit with common drink driving. Yes, God knows why it takes so long, but then that's what happens when lawyers get involved. However, with your 50 years experience you should be aware that it's not unusual by FIM standards, and it's a distraction from the actual issue. Simply reporting the ramblings of Muddlo on the grounds of 'reporting all sides of the story', does not in this case provide a balanced story because obviously the FIM can't comment on a case in progress. That's why some editorial is needed to make the reader aware this is not an unusual or unduly lengthy procedure. More generally, I don't think it's beyond the bounds of possibility for a journalist of your standing to actually establish what the Darcy Ward argument is, and even publish it. An FIM tribunal is not a court of law, and it's hardly likely to prejudice his right to a fair trial. We saw the same things last week with the verbatim reporting of the laughable protestations of the BSPA over the visa issues. The bottom line is they're either very stupid or simply knew they were breaking the law and thought they could get away with it, but either way their ineptitude should have been roundly condemned by the "World's leading speedway magazine". YOU keep going on about an 'Editorial' ... but that is only the view of the person who writes it, no more, or less. One person's opinion. Apart from the fact that I am no longer a full-time working journalist, questions have been asked of Ward but, not surprisingly, his lawyers don't want him saying anything. And neither do those of the FIM. It may not be a court of law but we cannot force those on either side to talk about if they on the advice of their lawyers do not wish them to do so. And even if, as you put it, this is not an unusual or unduly lengthy process, which incidentally I don''t accept, it still doesn't make it right. With regard to the BSPA and the visa issue ... why would being roundly condemned by the World's leading speedway magazine make any difference? Again, it would just be one person's opinion. The public at large are quite capable of making up their own minds. Edited February 5, 2015 by PHILIPRISING 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Humphrey Appleby Posted February 5, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 YOU keep going on about an 'Editorial' ... but that is only the view of the person who writes it, no more, or less. One person's opinion. Okay, well to balance out Muddlo's rambling, add some commentary about how the FIM disciplinary process works and the usual timescales for dealing with cases. Apart from the fact that I am no longer a full-time working journalist, questions have been asked of Ward but, not surprisingly, his lawyers don't want him saying anything. And neither do those of the FIM. It may not be a court of law but we cannot force those on either side to talk about if they on the advice of their lawyers do not wish them to do so. One wonders how the world would be if Woodward and Bernstein had settled for no comment from Richard Nixon. With regard to the BSPA and the visa issue ... why would being roundly condemned by the World's leading speedway magazine make any difference? Again, it would just be one person's opinion. Why do any publications bother to comment on politics, government performance or for that matter any subject of public interest then? Perhaps because comment from an established journal carries more weight than from the average member of the public? Even in sport, the corruption in FIFA, the IOC and IAAF has been roundly exposed in past years, and has (with the possible exception of FIFA) publicly shamed individuals and forced changes to be implemented. I'm not suggesting that BSPA officials should be publicly shamed, but I see nothing wrong in pointing what a fiasco they're presided over. That is an ideal topic for an editorial. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post norbold Posted February 5, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 YOU keep going on about an 'Editorial' ... but that is only the view of the person who writes it, no more, or less. One person's opinion. If you don't want to you don't need to write an editorial, that's up to you. However it seems to me that what the SS should be doing is giving a bit more factual explanation about the FIM process given all these comments about poor Darcy and the amount of time it's taking. It must surely be the responsibility of the SS to explain to its readers what FIM regulations state and that this case is no different to those the FIM have dealt with before. Instead, by not doing this, you are tacitly supporting the idea that Darcy Ward is being hard done by and that, for some reason, the FIM seems to be picking on him personally when this is not the case. If you don't think the SS should give an opinion on the matter, surely you must agree it should state the facts. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 (edited) Have just read the 'Darcy Ward Appreciation Society' weekly newsletter on Page 3 of this weeks Speedway Star. The author has not been given a byline; probably at his own request. Could I request that the Star consider taking a leaf out of British Airways book. And provide complementary sick bags with future editions. . Edited February 5, 2015 by Grand Central 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 It's about time we got some real investigative journalism, other than than the boring party line dirge that most of us know weeks before the SS prints it.. All the reporters I know of, are kissing Wards arse Mr Rising, rubs shoulders with the Speedway establishment on a daily/weekly basis and is not going to piss in his pot, so to speak . I'm being polite here I am sick to death of reading the same old sh!!t day in day out on here..Year on year! It's time to get rid of the old boys network.. ! This sport fails time and time again, because it's incestuous and seedy! I've said for years, my biggest issue with the speedway star is most of it is just them printing the BSPA (either as a collective or individuals) propaganda. There no investigation, there no finding out the truth, there no asking of questions. It's a shame because when the Star does write some of it's articles they're a great read. The Garry Stead article from a few months back is one I think every speedway fan should be made to read - a few of us commented on how it brought us close to tears reading about the experiences of Garry and his poor mum and dad. So they can do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 http://www.fim-live.com/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/CMI/FIM_ANTI-DOPING_CODE__updated_as_from_July_2014_.pdf For anyone who cares to bother - Articles 7 and 8 make for very interesting reading. They primarily refer to the testing process (A and B samples etc) and a Hearing in a fair and timely fashion!! (within 3 months is mentioned!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 For anyone who cares to bother - Articles 7 and 8 make for very interesting reading. They primarily refer to the testing process (A and B samples etc) and a Hearing in a fair and timely fashion!! (within 3 months is mentioned!) If he was breathalysed twice at the track then thats an A and B sample. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 It's a shame because when the Star does write some of it's articles they're a great read. The Garry Stead article from a few months back is one I think every speedway fan should be made to read - a few of us commented on how it brought us close to tears reading about the experiences of Garry and his poor mum and dad. So they can do it. There's been some good articles in recent times and which persuaded me to renew my online subscription. However, the unquestioning reporting of the BSPA party line really is a weak point, and not fitting of a supposedly independent journal. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 (edited) If there were issues with the test as the Ward camp keep alluding to, why did we get as far as the hearing, why has any of it got this far, why is there a 45 day window for a verdict since the hearing last week? The case would have been dropped or thrown out last Friday surely? Edited February 5, 2015 by Jacques 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 It's about time we got some real investigative journalism, other than than the boring party line dirge that most of us know weeks before the SS prints it.. All the reporters I know of, are kissing Wards arse Mr Rising, rubs shoulders with the Speedway establishment on a daily/weekly basis and is not going to piss in his pot, so to speak . I'm being polite here I am sick to death of reading the same old sh!!t day in day out on here..Year on year! It's time to get rid of the old boys network.. ! This sport fails time and time again, because it's incestuous and seedy! REALLY? :shock: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wackie Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 I expect Wards camp have gone through the FIM anti-doping code with a fine tooth comb looking for a way out for their client, which is probably why dates have been pushed back. Looking at section 5.9. could it be that there was reading material provided for Ward in the test facilities, but the lack of Roger Red hat and Billy Blue hat books meant it wasn't suitable for him - he was therefore discriminated against by the FIM? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrycuda Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 (edited) Post removed Edited June 2, 2015 by Barrycuda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f-s-p Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Surely your not implying or suggesting those seedy mens magazines that Rodney Trotter reads are you. You know those exotic art magazines. Also it does say that they must keep away from methanol to do the test so it does not effect the test result. One would think you could get high on methanol fumes. It has happened (methanol fumes) and thats probably why it's now in the book. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman2006 Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 If he was breathalysed twice at the track then thats an A and B sample. You did state IF... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 You did state IF... He might not have been breathalysed at all. Perhaps they just made it up, Darcy just thought he'd go along with it for a laugh. Then go to the time and expense of having a hearing, and not only that, writing up a verdict. All If's in your little world isn't it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman2006 Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 He might not have been breathalysed at all. Perhaps they just made it up, Darcy just thought he'd go along with it for a laugh. Then go to the time and expense of having a hearing, and not only that, writing up a verdict. All If's in your little world isn't it. Yep, a lot of IF's there mate !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 I've said for years, my biggest issue with the speedway star is most of it is just them printing the BSPA (either as a collective or individuals) propaganda. There no investigation, there no finding out the truth, there no asking of questions. It's a shame because when the Star does write some of it's articles they're a great read. The Garry Stead article from a few months back is one I think every speedway fan should be made to read - a few of us commented on how it brought us close to tears reading about the experiences of Garry and his poor mum and dad. So they can do it. Speedway is just one big gang and that includes the tv people and the Speedway star . All in it together . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wackie Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Yep, a lot of IF's there mate !! Actually there's only one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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