Have only fully caught up with this story in recent days, watching his interview on Football Focus (which was pretty honest and revealing) and reading a bit more about what actually happened.
I hadn't actually heard or seen any of the speculation about the true reason for him disappearing suddenly from top-level officiating. I just remember seeing that he'd stepped back for personal reasons, thought it was a bit odd and sudden, and then not really thinking much about it until I saw he had posted a blog explaining what had happened and the true reasons for his sudden departure.
Now, I think everyone is in agreement that what he did was stupid, idiotic and in very poor taste, but worthy of losing his whole job and livelihood over? I'm not so sure, especially when you consider the actions of various football players and managers throughout the years - from Wayne Rooney on numerous occasions, through to John Terry, Joey Barton, Steve Evans, Malky Mackay, etc, who have all been able to return to football despite worse indiscretions.
We should also consider Jamie Carragher, whose actions were arguably as bad as Madley's, but who is now back as a Sky Sports regular.
I can understand why the PGMOL acted in the way they did, to prove they were strong on all types of discrimination, but a 10 game ban and an education course (or something equivalent to that) would have been a fairer punishment in my view. It's not like he was a repeat offender, as far as I'm aware, or had brought the game into disrepute before.
It was also a message sent in private to someone he trusted, which was never supposed to see the light of day. Not that that excuses his actions - he was very naive and stupid - but I think a fair few players and managers would be caught out if private correspondence was looked into or released to the public.
He has obviously suffered the ultimate punishment, losing the job he loved, and some would say actions should have consequences and he got what he deserved, but it is hard not to feel a little bit sorry for him over such a dramatic fall from grace.
Clattenburg was allowed back after a number of indiscretions, so you think the same might be true for Madley. But it feels as if those bridges have been burned.
Hoddle was allowed back into football after some iffy comments about disabled people, and there are other examples of people who have done or said very questionable things being given a second chance, so was Madley harshly treated by those standards?
I'd probably veer to saying yes, while also recognising that what he did was thoroughly unacceptable.
Bobby Madley - harshly treated?
posted on 20/1/20
comment by Manfrombelmonty (U1705)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
comment by Billy The Yidd (U3924)
posted 29 minutes ago
If he had a Scouse accent, he would of kept his job.
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“Would have” you uneducated cockney peasant.
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Good lad, educate them one m●ng at a time.
posted on 20/1/20
posted on 20/1/20
comment by RJC (U17308)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by Manfrombelmonty (U1705)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
comment by Billy The Yidd (U3924)
posted 29 minutes ago
If he had a Scouse accent, he would of kept his job.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
“Would have” you uneducated cockney peasant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good lad, educate them one m●ng at a time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Madley was sacked for less!
posted on 20/1/20
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 21 seconds ago
comment by RJC (U17308)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by Manfrombelmonty (U1705)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
comment by Billy The Yidd (U3924)
posted 29 minutes ago
If he had a Scouse accent, he would of kept his job.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
“Would have” you uneducated cockney peasant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good lad, educate them one m●ng at a time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Madley was sacked for less!
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Ace was banned for similar
posted on 20/1/20
Ace
posted on 20/1/20
posted on 20/1/20
comment by RJC (U17308)
posted 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
comment by Manfrombelmonty (U1705)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
comment by Billy The Yidd (U3924)
posted 29 minutes ago
If he had a Scouse accent, he would of kept his job.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
“Would have” you uneducated cockney peasant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good lad, educate them one m●ng at a time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Says the bloke from Wolverhampton
If there’s a place on earth with less of a point I’ve yet to see it
posted on 20/1/20
comment by palmers_spur (U8896)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by RJC (U17308)
posted 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
comment by Manfrombelmonty (U1705)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
comment by Billy The Yidd (U3924)
posted 29 minutes ago
If he had a Scouse accent, he would of kept his job.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
“Would have” you uneducated cockney peasant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good lad, educate them one m●ng at a time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Says the bloke from Wolverhampton
If there’s a place on earth with less of a point I’ve yet to see it
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I went to Grammar School as well Well, when you are in a hurry. I won`t resort to personal insults, I`ll leave that to the Sheep followers
posted on 21/1/20
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 21/1/20
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator