“Tony Clubb shouldn’t be allowed to play again and that’s that” – how social media reacted to the Wigan forward’s Grade F charge

Tony Clubb has been charged with a Grade F Unacceptable language based on national or ethnic origin, meaning he will be referred to a tribunal. But, just how has social media reacted to the news that he potentially faces eight weeks out?

One Twitter user was keen to see just how strong the RFL’s stance on racism will be if Clubb is found guilty.

Tony Clubb has been charged with a Grade F offence of “unacceptable language/abuse based on national or ethnic origin”. Tribunal on Tuesday.

After 'Tackle It' and taking the knee, IF Clubb is found guilty, there is where we really find out how serious the RFL are about racism.

— ᴀᴀʀᴏɴ ʙᴏᴡᴇʀ (@AaronBower) May 3, 2021

Another called on the RFL to stand up strong, calling for the termination of Clubb’s contract.

https://twitter.com/brandonjames_GB/status/1389237011584851975?s=20

That seemed to be the consensus around Twitter, with another user wanting Clubb to be forced to leave the game.

Tony Clubb shouldn’t be allowed to play again and that’s that

— Laura Willingham (@laurwillingham_) May 3, 2021

Some were also vociferous supporters of Andre Savelio.

https://twitter.com/kaylabowers1987/status/1389284231008903169?s=20

One person even drew parallels between her own experiences and Savelio’s.

Thank you for reporting it! As the mother of mixed race children who suffer racism regularly I am eternally grateful to public figures like yourself making the public aware that this goes on and must be stopped! @WiganWarriorsRL and @TheRFL must now act.

— Shevaughn Lancelott (@shevlance) May 1, 2021

One man highlighted the importance of the case overall.

Suppose the conundrum for the RFL now is to determine whether or not Tony is educationally aware of how his comment could have hurt Andre, or if he is indeed a closet racist and potentially a hater of all Polynesian people..
In anycase a landmark case for the sport

— AndyWC (@andywc1980) May 1, 2021

However, that consensus was undermined by a few Twitter users.

Out of interest if Tony Clubb had call (for example) James Maloney an Australian cunt would he still be getting labelled as a racist?

— Paul Fletcher (@PaulFletcher14) April 30, 2021

One critic also pointed to the time span between the allegation and Savelio’s decision to report it.

Can I just ask why he left it for 15 minutes or so before reporting it to the referee? If that had been me who had been verbally abused I’d have reported immediately.

— Josie Andrews (@josie_andrews13) May 1, 2021