Matt Stevens (Egg chasing (goons) alert)

[Barrel of Fun]

Shame, He seems to be an honest and open chap who got caught up in the wrong crowd. Sad as he has put a great deal of effort into getting where he is today. I hope he bounces back from this.

 

[Kaiser_Soze]

Was interesting hearing his interview on SSN. It seemed like when he was opening up he had to keep correcting himself. It seemed like a few of the people he was out and taking coke with may be ex or current players. At least thats the way I read it.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Agreed. It very much sounded like an honest account with a message of 'do not take drugs'. As opposed to the regular - Agent #1 "My client is deeply sorry....".

I hope he can fight his way back from this...

 

[clapham_gull]

mmmmm....

Rugby player obviously "bloody good chap...", but footballer, obviously "overpaid wanker.."

Whilst footballers sticking mobiles up each others arses makes the papers, Rugby players have surely been perfecting cross genital mutilation (disguised as "horseplay") for years.

Double standards BOF you should be ashamed of yourself

 

[Jesus Gul]

didn't that prize chump* Dallaglio get framed for doing similar in the early part of his career

nothing against Dallaglio as such 'prize chump' can be used to describe any Rugby player in my book

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Dallaglio was never caught doing drugs and never failed a test. He told a fake sheikh he did coke to be one of the boys as everyone was saying the same thing. Dallaglio was probably telling the truth - he had dedicated his career to his sister (who died in the Marchoness disaster) and it seems unlikely he would risk it for a quick line

 

[Dr Q]

"stupid boy" about sums it up for me. Very promising player, and I hope this hasn't screwed his career totally. Have spoken to Matt Stevens many times when we lived in Bath and he was just emerging from the Bath Acadamy, and he seemed a genuine and grounded chap. Shame to see him having such a tough time. I seriously hope that any drug abuse is restricted to his non-rugby friends rather than the rest of the team!!!

 

[Peppermint Tea]

Very surprised to hear it to be honest, somehow you don't expect a prop to play with the devil's dandruff - a fly half maybe...

Still he's been replaced in the squad by Julian White who has a different form of white line fever. I'll get me coat...

 

[Stat Brother]

Judging by the news, this morning, he could be one of the last to get caught.

65 Belgium sportsmen are taking the drug authorities to the European Court of Human Rights.
Stating the current policy infringes that, by requesting where people will be for 1 hour each day over a 3 month period.

 

[Marshy]

2 year ban, very excessive in my book.
6 months tops for me.

 

[Twinkle Toes]

He's been a bit of a Charlie..

 

[fatbadger]

2 year ban, very excessive in my book.
6 months tops for me.

Indeed. You get 2 years for performance-enhancing drugs, which is clearly worse. His club should be very, very angry, and perhaps sack him - for taking performance-debilitating drugs. But the authorities saying he is bad as a "drug cheat" (which some newspapers, incredibly, are calling Stevens) by punishing him in the same way is absurd.

 

[wehatepalace]

f*** me I suprised he can get anything up that hooter of his ! He won't be the last I sure of it, I didn't realise those country bumpkins in Bath knew what coke was !!! You'd expect from a Quins player

 

[The Antikythera Mechanism]

Mike Tindall gets a 3 year ban this month for his second drink driving conviction and is still in the England squad.

Mitigating factor is that he has a very low blood alcohol elimination rate - Yeah right!!!

 

[keaton]

I don't think you should get any ban for taking recreational drugs

 

[Pavilionaire]

I'm liking the reaction from club and country to this incident. He's been dropped swiftly and unceremoniuosly, and the message that he's let everyone down is loud and clear.

This contrasts with the instant second / third / fourth chances given to the likes of Joey Barton, Lee Bowyer, Rio Ferdinand, Jermaine Pennant et al in football's top flight.