Paddy Jackson arrives at a Belfast court.getty images
Misgivings among the club’s sponsors have caused Premiership Rugby side Sale Sharks to "reconsider signing Paddy Jackson," the fly half sacked by Ulster last month, according to Westerby & Lowe of the LONDON TIMES. Sale was "thought to be one of a small number of clubs contemplating recruiting Jackson" but reports that Jackson was on the verge of signing reportedly "prompted concerns among sponsors" on Wednesday and Sale issued a statement distancing itself from Jackson and Stuart Olding. Both players "were sacked by Ulster despite being acquitted of rape in a trial." Ulster’s leading sponsor, Bank of Ireland, criticized the players’ conduct and "there has been similar disquiet among the commercial backers at Sale." The club's statement read, "There is no substance to the rumours currently circulating in relation to the signing of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding." A petition calling for Sale not to sign the duo was launched on Wednesday and a link to it "appeared briefly in the social media section of the club’s website." By 9pm on Wednesday night, it had 45 signatures (LONDON TIMES, 5/3). In London, Daniel Schofield reported Barbara Keeley, the MP for Worsley and Eccles South, where Sale is based, said that bringing in Jackson and Olding would send "entirely the wrong signal to fans and to the local community" while the End Violence Against Women Coalition reiterated its "demand that they should never play rugby again." Keeley wrote, "The behaviour of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding is not in line with the values that Sale Sharks should be projecting to our community." It is understood "some of Sale’s leading sponsors immediately sought talks with the club in light of the revelations," with one company describing itself as "concerned." While most major rugby club sponsors do not possess a "morality" clause in their contracts, "it could irrevocably damage Sale’s ability to attract future partners." Despite a senior club source describing Jackson's signing as "a done deal" on Monday night, Sale released a statement at 6pm on Wednesday that "contradicted its earlier stance" (TELEGRAPH, 5/2). The BBC reported investment firm AJ Bell co-Founder Andy Bell reportedly spoke directly with Sale Dir of Rugby Steve Diamond to "discuss the company's concerns." Bell said in a statement, "Sale Sharks are very aware of the strong values engrained within our business, many of which are shared by the club and their supporters. We have total faith in Steve Diamond and the owners to reflect these values whilst they are stewards of the club" (BBC, 5/3).
