Double Standards Of The Rugby Football Union

EDM number 499 in 1994-95, proposed by Doug Hoyle on 26/01/1995.

That this House draws attention to the different treatment meted out to Mr Mike Catt, of Bath RUFC and England, as compared with Mr Adrian Spencer, the Cambridge University rugby union player, by the Rugby Football Union, who in the case of Mr Catt, whilst not denying that he was paid ú140 per week expenses for playing rugby union in South Africa, permitted him to continue as an amateur and play for his club and England, yet in the case of Mr Spencer, who was paid nothing for playing ruby league with London Crusaders, branded him a professional and banned him from playing rugby union for 12 months; further notes that whilst Mr Catt was allowed to appear before the investigating team no such facility was afforded to Mr Spencer; condemns this injustice and interference with human rights; and calls upon the Rugby Football Union to stop using double standards, to review the case and to reinstate Mr Spencer forthwith. (Relevant registered interest declared).

This motion has been signed by a total of 73 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.