08 Jul 2016 17:09:50
Jut a question for any of the Eds (and anybody else) .

Where do you stand on people coming back to sport following a drug ban. With sakho still awaiting his punishment and the whole Jon Jones debacle this week in ufc it just got me thinking.

Should sportsmen/ women be allowed back in all circumstances (redemption and such like), limited circumstances or a blanket ban. I know there is no simple answer but I just wanted to know what you think it should be. I do appreciate that the answer will depend on the nature of the breach by the sportsman/ woman and on the person answering the question and what there moral compass is.

I always think that if you have ever benefitted in certain ways, and i particularly think about muscle growth and the like, how you can ever compete clean again? You will always still keep that advantage you obtained illegally. That's only one specific example but I just think it's an interesting subject.

Thoughts?


1.) 08 Jul 2016
08 Jul 2016 17:22:52
We live in a society where we advocate people having the chance to learn from their mistakes and give them the opportunity to prove it. Whilst individuals may think otherwise, that is societies choice as a whole. An absolute ban on drug cheats is ridiculous, certainly for first offences at least.


2.) 08 Jul 2016
08 Jul 2016 17:33:25
Imagine if you lost your job due to taking drugs, and then after serving your time, got told you were now banned from that industry.

Footballers and celebrities are seen as these emotionless, inhuman creatures made from invulnerable steel; Incapable of just making a genuine mistake or error of judgement.

There are crimes that are unforgivable. But drugs? Theft? Petty things like that. The whole point of punishment is to reform an individual. If you make their life impossible to live by banning them from work, all you do is criminalise them.

There's the old role model argument, but surely seeing a guy make a mistake and then turn his life around and climb back to the top also makes them a great role model for young kids who have made a mistake. It is proof you can atone and still have a life after your error.

I've made mistakes in the past. Luckily I don't have to pay for them for the rest of my working life. Repeat offenders though, fair enough. They should be banned as all they show kids is that you get unlimited chances.


3.) 08 Jul 2016
08 Jul 2016 18:20:52
For me you missed their point, Wassa-lfcs opinion is based on banned players still having a physical advantage due to a person having taking performance enhancing substances.

To my knowledge someone stops taking a substance they stop receiving the benefits and often have negative side effects which can hinder regular progression. Now some of the benefits can remain for a short period. But banning them, forcing them to not be competiting at the highest level and removing their team training sessions will do more to hurt their physical progression than any of these side effects could ever help. I would love to read up on this though, good post Wassa-lfc.


4.) 08 Jul 2016
08 Jul 2016 18:22:34
Basically MK your saying it's alright to cheat till you get caught then repent an all is ok? It wasn't a mistake! He / they should not take anything without seeing the club doctor etc beforehand. Why should us an the club suffer? Would you forgive your missus if she cheated? It's still a dagger to the heart just the same.


5.) 08 Jul 2016
08 Jul 2016 18:35:44
MK, if registered professionals, such as Doctors, nurses etc were caught taking drugs, or doing anything particularly illegal, they'd be struck off, and unable to work in their profession again. Now, i'm not saying PED's are the same as snorting coke off a strippers ass, but there are professions out there where, if you screw up, you're done.

I meant this to be more in-depth, but my kids are mauling me as I type, but i'm sure my point is in there somewhere!


6.) 08 Jul 2016
08 Jul 2016 18:41:40
Sorry redNI but the effects of anabolic steroids do remain much longer than the period of taking them. e. g. Justin Gatlin.


7.) 08 Jul 2016
08 Jul 2016 18:43:27
Slowdog, not patronising this, but have you ever competed competitively?

Not nice when your opponent is stronger only to realise they're juiced up to their eyeballs.

Seen it and been around it for years now.

Ban the fabucking lot of them for life I say.


8.) 08 Jul 2016
08 Jul 2016 19:51:57
Funnily enough Ron that was the person I had in mind when I made that comment!

I just think it was one of those subjects that as it divides opinion it was worth a discussion.


9.) 09 Jul 2016
09 Jul 2016 07:16:04
Good idea, one for the to do list, sniff Charlie off stripers ass cheers mate I'm off.