International Law

Rugby League just seems to lurch from one scandal to another these days, but it was still very disappointing to see racism once again emerge as an issue in the game with the news that league legend Andrew Johns had said a racial slur that prompted Timana Tahu to walk out of the New South Wales State of Origin camp.  Johns has already quit as the assistant coach to the New South Wales team but he will apparently keep working for Channel NIne:

Andrew Johns will not face disciplinary action from employer the Nine Network over the racial slur that prompted Timana Tahu to walk out of the New South Wales State of Origin camp.

Nine said in a statement it was satisfied with the public apology offered by rugby league great Johns, who works as a sideline reporter for NRL matches and also on the Footy Show.

"His comments were unacceptable, full stop," the network said.

"Andrew knows that, and is plainly remorseful about the incident."

Read more here (from ABC News).  It is now being reported that this was not an isolated incident by Johns:

It is understood that Tahu has been simmering over Andrew Johns' alleged racist remarks for years, and those close to him said he'd "had enough" when he left Origin camp.

Andrew Johns quit the NSW Origin team after he admitted a racist sledge towards Queensland superstar Greg Inglis was behind Blues winger Timana Tahu walking out of the side.

After one of Origin's most dramatic days - with NSW team management at first trying to cover up the scandal - Johns said he had no choice but to resign as assistant coach after it emerged he had sledged Tahu's long-time friend at a bonding session at a Kingscliff hotel on Wednesday night.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Johns told Blues centre Beau Scott: "You must shut that black c... down", referring to Maroons' star Greg Inglis.

Read more here (from Fox Sports).

It seems to me that Andrew Johns needs to face some disciplinary action from Channel Nine.  He is a role model in the game and it needs to be made clear that racism has no place in rugby league or in Australian society in general.  It could be argued that because he did not make these comments in his capacity as a Channel Nine employee he should not be punished.  However, that reasoning is spurious because his comments were made in a rugby league context.  Even if he is not fired by Channel Nine, I maintain he must be punished for his racist remarks.  What do you think?