500cc Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Whatever one thinks about Darcy Ward, it's not for a sporting body to impose draconian restrictions on one's lifestyle. He hasn't committed (in this particular case) a criminal offence. I agree. I only put it out there as there are some similarities (and differences of course) with the situation with Josh Gordon in the NFL. I believe like Ward, they both have a single criminal conviction relating to a motor vehicle under the influence. Both have been linked to marijuana use. It is interesting to see how the two sports have addressed these issues. Gordon failed a drug test as a student (marijuana) and was indefinitely suspended (effectively kicked out of college) - he had a previous suspension for the same offence. He entered the NFL with effectively one strike next to his name for that offence. He subsequently failed a test in the NFL and was suspended for two games. A second failure and he was suspended for a year. The NFL don't specifically identify the type of substance abuse (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine etc). But from what Gordon has chosen to say, they are all marijuana. He was then stopped driving under the influence whilst his one year ban was being confirmed. Perversely due to some changes in the regulations, this was reduced to 10 games (the season is 16 games - max 19 with the play-offs). And this is then the bit I'm linking to with Ward. As part of his re-instatement he was required to entirely abstain from alcohol during the remainder of the season and be subject to regular testing. After his teams final game of the season he boarded a private jet with some team mates. He drank two beers and two further alcoholic drinks. He was subsequently tested and failed - i.e. he drank alcohol, the quantity being irrelevant. He fell foul of the fact that the NFL season was/is still in progress, even though his season was over - he was on holiday. He now faces a potential year ban for those drinks and potentially the end of his career. On the face of it, he has a string of offences. However, all but two are marijuana use and one of those two was a few social drinks with ZERO criminal implications. So one serious offence, driving under influence. Then look at Ward. He has a similar public criminal offence with a vehicle. In fairness it's not known if he was over the limit, but he was reported as using both marijuana and alcohol. As Middleditch said “It is what most young people do these days isn't it? He wasn't racing or putting anyone else's life at risk on the track. It is just another silly mistake from Darcy - hopefully it won't have an effect on his riding.” Speedway chose to ignore this offence. Ward now stands accused of failing an alcohol test prior to a meeting. It would be nice if Middleditch better recognised the significance of his second sentence in relation to the current situation. Offering him support is fine. Making his own decision that he's served his time is not something he should be involved in as effectively a manager of the accused. In terms of delays, by the way. His employee, Cleveland Browns, were kept waiting a large amount of time for a decision on the one year ban, to the extent it was too late to get a partially suitable replacement. So no different to Speedway there. Now I don't agree Ward should be punished in the way Gordon has / will be. I'm actually critical of the NFL on their drug policy. It is far to lenient on those who are drug abusers. And the NFL are a law to themselves anyway. But it is still an interesting comparison. 500cc, I don't think FIM have the authority to decide what Darcy does or eat/drink outside of competition (except for banned substances obviously) especially since alcohol is only banned "in competition", Neither do I think that it's for FIM's to set Darcy straight, that is Darcy's own responsibility. Absolutely agree 100%. The NFL is different because there are agreements with the Player's Union on what is and isn't allowed. And I totally disagree with the idea I put forward anyway. The only bit that makes sense is it would probably do Ward an awful lot of good to abstain voluntarily. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 (edited) I don't believe Ward has any legal conviction against his name!! Do we know which day the verdict it's likely to be next week? Hopefully before Tuesday so that Speedway Star can carry the story next week! Hopefully before Thursday as he has flights booked!! Edited January 31, 2015 by Skidder1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 I don't believe Ward has any legal conviction against his name!! Hopefully before Tuesday so that Speedway Star can carry the story next week! Hopefully before Thursday as he has flights booked!! Ha ha, thanks Skidder Does he have to stay for the verdict then? :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500cc Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 I don't believe Ward has any legal conviction against his name!! You can never trust the press !!! Just blame the Bournemouth Echo for saying he was convicted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Do we know which day the verdict it's likely to be next week? As far as I am aware it is only Darcy who has said this in his tweek stating ' a call will be made next week'? I have my doubts they will have told him a decision would be forthcoming next week, far more likely that it will be made in due course. Based upon past cases the FIM has dealt with and the rules stating 45 days it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see next week go by with no news... The pro Warders will be up in arms about what a joke it is again then! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 The NFL is different because there are agreements with the Player's Union on what is and isn't allowed. And I totally disagree with the idea I put forward anyway. The only bit that makes sense is it would probably do Ward an awful lot of good to abstain voluntarily. The NFL approach sounds ridiculously puritanical, but typical of employers in the US who feel they have the right to dictate employee lifestyles. If someone fails drugs/alcohol tests in competition that's one thing, but frankly outrageous that an employer can dictate such things out-of-competition that are not performance enhancing, and I seriously hope that we never see such things in Europe. That Darcy Ward behaves like an idiot is not in much dispute, but unless his misdeeds happen in the sport, then it's really not any business of the sport, nor is the sport morally obliged to deal with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Now now, BWitcher, you should know that the FIM have it in for Ward and Middlo personally and that they are deliberately delaying Ward's case till March just to spite Middlo and his team building efforts. That's why they have been delaying his case for as long as possible. All other cases they deal with are done and dusted within a week.....er.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 As far as I am aware it is only Darcy who has said this in his tweek stating ' a call will be made next week'? I have my doubts they will have told him a decision would be forthcoming next week, far more likely that it will be made in due course. Based upon past cases the FIM has dealt with and the rules stating 45 days it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see next week go by with no news... The pro Warders will be up in arms about what a joke it is again then! Good point. Although Middlo did too, but he's as reliable as a Citroen on a cold day and his info would have come from Ward no doubt.. But what about poor old Poole and their team building, I thought we were told the FIM would we bowing down to them? Will they be claiming compensation too? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Rape is penetration of the penis. So it counts as rape when Muddlo penetrates social media ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Darcy Ward #4⃣3⃣ @D_Dublu_racing 22m22 minutes ago Thanks for all your support been unreal. Very greatful. Hope to be racing for both pirates teams and not 100% confirmed yet in Polska. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post John Leslie Posted January 31, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 #WardToRace2017 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 As far as I am aware it is only Darcy who has said this in his tweek stating ' a call will be made next week'? I have my doubts they will have told him a decision would be forthcoming next week, far more likely that it will be made in due course. Based upon past cases the FIM has dealt with and the rules stating 45 days it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see next week go by with no news... The pro Warders will be up in arms about what a joke it is again then! The Bournemouth Echo today quoted the FIM as saying "...following yesterday's events in Switzerland, a final outcome is expected next week..........after the International Disciplinary Court hearing failed to produce a definitive verdict!" Read into that what you wish. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OveFundinFan Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 So the Bournemouth Echo was there or has a hot line to the FIM...... I would'nt think so. Journalism thats all. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pugwash Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 You'd believe it if it was The Sun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 The Bournemouth Echo today quoted the FIM as saying "...following yesterday's events in Switzerland, a final outcome is expected next week..........after the International Disciplinary Court hearing failed to produce a definitive verdict!" Read into that what you wish. I assume it is this article you are referring too? http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/11762497.Speedway__Darcy_Ward_made_to_wait_on_hearing_verdict/ If so, there are no quotes from the FIM at all. What you have claimed is an FIM 'quote' is merely the journalists interpretation of events. What we can read into it is the journalist and indeed the Poole/Ward camp have done next to no research into how these hearings work. I find that difficult to believe. What is far more likely is they knew full well the verdict wouldn't be given immediately, that there would be a wait before it was issued in writing, but continue to spin the "Woe is me, Poor mistreated Darcy" line for all it is worth. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Of course they "failed to produce a definitive verdict." That's why the final outcome will be announced next week. Duh! The court now has to consider its verdict and what follows from it. That's how it works. It seems to me the only way they could have produced a verdict straight away is if they felt Darcy Ward had no case to answer and he was exonerated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 (edited) I assume it is this article you are referring too? http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/11762497.Speedway__Darcy_Ward_made_to_wait_on_hearing_verdict/ If so, there are no quotes from the FIM at all. What you have claimed is an FIM 'quote' is merely the journalists interpretation of events. What we can read into it is the journalist and indeed the Poole/Ward camp have done next to no research into how these hearings work. I find that difficult to believe. What is far more likely is they knew full well the verdict wouldn't be given immediately, that there would be a wait before it was issued in writing, but continue to spin the "Woe is me, Poor mistreated Darcy" line for all it is worth. Goodness knows how the Speedway Star are going to spin it next week, if the verdict is still pending. I Imagine Paul Burbidge will be reporting on the possible intervention of Amnesty International. . Edited January 31, 2015 by Grand Central 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 I assume it is this article you are referring too? http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/11762497.Speedway__Darcy_Ward_made_to_wait_on_hearing_verdict/ If so, there are no quotes from the FIM at all. What you have claimed is an FIM 'quote' is merely the journalists interpretation of events. What we can read into it is the journalist and indeed the Poole/Ward camp have done next to no research into how these hearings work. I find that difficult to believe. What is far more likely is they knew full well the verdict wouldn't be given immediately, that there would be a wait before it was issued in writing, but continue to spin the "Woe is me, Poor mistreated Darcy" line for all it is worth. Muddlo goes from bad to worse. The one quote in the article is that Muddlo has been calling on the FIM to show "transparency". Well, they are going to show transparency. In accordance with the rules they are going to publish their written decision so anyone and everyone who is interested can see their reasoning and decision. That is standard practice in any proper tribunal . You can't get much more transparent than that. It's exactly what Muddlo has been calling for, but what does he do? He goes on Twitter asking what the hell is going on. The man is completely bonkers. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Muddlo goes from bad to worse. The one quote in the article is that Muddlo has been calling on the FIM to show "transparency". Well, they are going to show transparency. In accordance with the rules they are going to publish their written decision so anyone and everyone who is interested can see their reasoning and decision. That is standard practice in any proper tribunal . You can't get much more transparent than that. It's exactly what Muddlo has been calling for, but what does he do? He goes on Twitter asking what the hell is going on. The man is completely bonkers. ...and calling them a joke! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Any chance the verdict (I.e. guilty/not guilty)will be next week, but "sentencing" (if found guilty) to follow within the coming 45 days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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