Rugby star apologises for ‘faggot’ joke
Welsh rugby union player Tom Isaacs has apologised after saying a rugby analyst looked “like a faggot”.
The 27-year-old, who plays for the Ospreys, made the remarks on Twitter at Scarlets and Wales under 18 performance analyst Marc Carter.
Walesonline reports Isaacs tweeted: “Pleasantly surprised by @Sparky_Carter86 in the gym today. Looks like a faggot but can shift a bit of tin.”
Andrew White, director of Stonewall Cymru, said: “Tom Isaacs’ comments are deeply offensive and inappropriate.
“They add to and feed prejudice, and do real harm, especially to young people.
“They make it difficult for gay people in life as well as in sport.
“We know from the many of our supporters who are keen rugby fans that this is not the kind of behaviour they expect from players.
“Isaacs is either ignorant of the impact his words have or he just doesn’t care; so let’s be crystal clear, ‘a bit of banter’ is never a valid justification for homophobia.”
Two years ago the Ospreys fined another player after a similar incident.
An Ospreys spokesman said: “As an organisation we do not tolerate discriminatory behaviour or language of any kind.
“As soon as this was brought to our attention we spoke to Tom to reiterate our position and deal with the issue in line with our disciplinary procedures, by which point he had already acknowledged his misjudgement and offered apologies for his inappropriate use of language.
“We now consider the matter closed.”
Earlier this week, former Ireland rugby player Neil Francis apologised for suggesting gay people have “no interest” in sport.
