NRL investigating Tedesco over "squid games" comment

[Kelvin Johnson]

Doesn't need to be "abusive", "vilification" includes demeaning someone in some way - "Squid Games" anyone? "Just a joke" doesn't cut it anymore. Teddy will cop a fine - $5K I'd guess. Gotta rein in the mouth.

We are now fining people for talking loudly. Are you a Souths fan? Why don't you support the Captain?

Some lunatic Souths fan makes up a story and Teddy has to say sorry. Posting shit on Instagram doesn't make it true.

If she heard Jai Arrow talking about "Squid games" in the many times she has been in the South Sydney dressing room would she complain?

[King Salvo]

Cleveland Indians are no more as it was considered racist especially their Chief Wahoo Logo from now on they are the Cleveland Guardians - Atlanta Braves are not considering a name change but the pressure will mount for sure and certain- Washington Redskins under pressure changed their name for season 2021 to Washington Football Team and will unveil a new name and logo in early 2022







https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/...ves-didnt.html

[bondi.boy]

The police aren't involved. I'm no expert on the relevant NSW legislation but IMO there's zero suggestion that a crime was committed.

Quick web search, I think Section 20C(1) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 provides the test?

> It is unlawful for a person, by a public act, to incite hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of, a person or group of persons on the ground of the race of the person or members of the group.

So...
- It's a direct test, not a nuanced one.
- Incite hatred? No.
- SERIOUS contempt? No.
- SEVERE ridicule? No.

Even if it's a worst case scenario, the words 'serious' and 'severe' close the book on this one for me. Another quick search suggests that (under different legislation in QLD), the cops couldn't do anything about some d!ckhead flying a nazi flag near a synagogue. No idea how that'd play out under 20C but I feel like if flying a nazi flag near a synagogue is borderline and Alan Jones encouraging people to hit up Cronulla during the riots is similar [noting neither woulda had theis same test applied] then yelling out 'SQUID GAAAAAAME' in the presence of an Asian person is... confusing? Weird? Random? A bit queer? But not racial vilification.

The alleged victim is indeed saying something unlawful has taken place, vilification of her by race/ethnic origin...and she's offended.
"doing something in public etc".

These laws are all set out in Acts Of
Parliament...and under these Acts of Parliament any accused are judged.
The NRL is not a Supreme Court Judge...or a local court magistrate.
IMO it has no right to be making judgements under these laws/Acts of Parliament.

So, NRL's judgement of guilty or not guilty under the laws of the land is being made by a peak sporting body?
Interesting.

[ism22]

The alleged victim is indeed saying something unlawful has taken place, vilification of her by race/ethnic origin...and she's offended.
"doing something in public etc".

These laws are all set out in Acts Of
Parliament...and under these Acts of Parliament any accused are judged.
The NRL is not a Supreme Court Judge...or a local court magistrate.
IMO it has no right to be making judgements under these laws/Acts of Parliament.

So, NRL's judgement of guilty or not guilty under the laws of the land is being made by a peak sporting body?
Interesting.

So...
1. I've quoted the relevant legislation (an act is a form of legislation). I don't think the standard for s 20C(1) has been met as it's quite a high bar.
2. I repeat, the police are not involved. No criminal allegations have been made.
3. The NRL is not a court and it's not doing a legal investigation. They're checking whether Teddy's breached their code of conduct. For example has he brought the game into disrepute? It's purely a PR exercise because the NRL's received negative media coverage. Could he have done ANYTHING to prevent this negative coverage? I think that's the real question here.

[Spirit of 66]

Doesn't need to be "abusive", "vilification" includes demeaning someone in some way - "Squid Games" anyone? "Just a joke" doesn't cut it anymore. Teddy will cop a fine - $5K I'd guess. Gotta rein in the mouth.

So if it's a 5k fine the 'offence' is at the same level as Reece Walsh being filmed snorting cocaine (and actually breaking the law) in a public bar. Seems a bit over the top to me but you're probably right.

[bondi.boy]

So...
1. I've quoted the relevant legislation (an act is a form of legislation). I don't think the standard for s 20C(1) has been met as it's quite a high bar.
2. I repeat, the police are not involved. No criminal allegations have been made.
3. The NRL is not a court and it's not doing a legal investigation. They're checking whether Teddy's breached their code of conduct. For example has he brought the game into disrepute? It's purely a PR exercise because the NRL's received negative media coverage. Could he have done ANYTHING to prevent this negative coverage? I think that's the real question here.

He could've stayed home, not walked along the street, and not let words of any kind pass his lips.

If what you say is true, what's "apology for the misunderstanding but not the event" all about?
Teddy should be guided by his lawyer.
If I were him I'd be getting any deals or promises in writing.

[BigCok007]

This is the biggest waste of time, for Teddy for the fans. It’s cancel culture from someone who clearly thought there’s an opportunity here to get something for nothing, a payoff or try and besmirch Teddy’s reputation because she’s a toothless souffs supporter.

A player won’t be able to $hit soon because it’ll offend someone. I hope the NRL see sense just this once and St Nic brings in an early Christmas miracle and the NRL have a moment of clarity.

[bondi.boy]

This is the biggest waste of time, for Teddy for the fans. It’s cancel culture from someone who clearly thought there’s an opportunity here to get something for nothing, a payoff or try and besmirch Teddy’s reputation because she’s a toothless souffs supporter.

A player won’t be able to $hit soon because it’ll offend someone. I hope the NRL see sense just this once and St Nic brings in an early Christmas miracle and the NRL have a moment of clarity.

Your "soon" is already here, this case proves it.
One world *out of place*, unintentionally or otherwise, can land a player, official, coach, or fan in big trouble.

This is not limited to Sydney and our game, it's global.
In America last year, an NBA commentator was sacked from his job for saying when asked a question, ..."All lives matter".
Wrong answer, sacked he was, bye bye, no more job, no more income.

[BigCok007]

Your "soon" is already here, this case proves it.
One world *out of place*, unintentionally or otherwise, can land a player, official, coach, or fan in big trouble.

This is not limited to Sydney and our game, it's global.
In America last year, an NBA commentator was sacked from his job for saying when asked a question, ..."All lives matter".
Wrong answer, sacked he was, bye bye, no more job, no more income.

It’s beyond a joke! I get there’s actions that hurt, and can fall into a grey area where it’s no illegal but morally questionable but surely the NRL sees this the nonsense it is. This cancel culture will continue until someone starts pushing back.

The NRL has been neutered, and is so concerned with any ‘negative’ media attention, I think in this case they stand to gain more respect and support for just nipping it in the bud.

[Horry]

A friend that works at the Tele has told me this morning he has heard it will be A fine for Tedesco.

Apologies I have edited to A fine

[BigCok007]

A friend that works at the Tele has told me this morning he has heard it will be fine for Tedesco.

YUCK! Absolutely disgusting if true

[ism22]

It’s beyond a joke! I get there’s actions that hurt, and can fall into a grey area where it’s no illegal but morally questionable but surely the NRL sees this the nonsense it is. This cancel culture will continue until someone starts pushing back.

The NRL has been neutered, and is so concerned with any ‘negative’ media attention, I think in this case they stand to gain more respect and support for just nipping it in the bud.

I think that's the big reason why corporates buy into cancel culture. No profit-driven enterprise wants bad media coverage and the image of being a 'bad' organisation. Heck, most probably want a 'good' image and if (for example) changing your cheese to 'Cheer' or your lollies to 'Red Rippers' is gonna remove any suggestion of wrongdoing then you might as well do it.

They're in a tough place with Teddy. He's done nothing wrong but an assertive person (who was never 1 bit offended, but decided to milk the opportunity for all it's worth) is making a circus out of it. Saying 'get farked you whinger' will cause issues. Slamming Teddy will cause issues. Trying to find a middle ground will cause issues (because there is no middle ground).

IMO they should show some cojones and just say 'not our place to investigate and it would be inappropriate for us to take sides where there is potential for litigation and/or criminal allegations [something something - innocent until proven guilty - we encourage you to seek your own legal advice]'.

---

Cancel culture rant...
I was playing Moonwalker on my Mega Drive the other day (a game that's now semi-difficult to find as he's been cancelled). I've also read my son books like Little House on the Prairie (lotsa references to American Indians - FROM THE TIME) and The Magic Faraway Tree (there's still one friendly golliwog in the version I have - feminists also hate that the girls can't always do what the boys can - even though there's evidence Blyton was a lesbian and the book quite clearly ridicules gender stereotypes when you read it through that lens).

To me context is important and that's how we learn. To me cancelling stuff is deleting history. If stuff is REALLY obnoxious then I get it. But like... I think more is learned by me reading my son Little House on the Prairie and filling in the gaps that 'they are not from India... they are native Americans... the whole story is about people trying to kick them off their land to make farms... people viewed them as savages... TIMES HAVE CHANGED - WE KNOW BETTER TODAY'. I just dunno if banning words like 'Indian' or 'Golliwog' is useful. When used to offend people they're obnoxious and should be called out. However, they're also a part of history and I don't think wiping out 'the bad stuff' helps us to move forward.

In this case I dunno. Maybe we should just cancel Squid Games if people find its title offensive when they overhear somebody talking about it? :P

[Spirit of 66]

A friend that works at the Tele has told me this morning he has heard it will be fine for Tedesco.

More damaging is that they have found him to be a liar. If snorting cocaine in a public bar is worth a $5000 fine, I would rate this "offence" as worth $25.

[ccfc bondi]

YUCK! Absolutely disgusting if true

I thought 'it will be fine' meant it will be fine, not a fine, so now I'm hoping he meant what I first thought.

[BigCok007]

I thought 'it will be fine' meant it will be fine, not a fine, so now I'm hoping he meant what I first thought.

Ahh well spotted! Let’s hope it’s what you thought!