The men who sacked Carling
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Dennis Easby
RFU President
Seventy-year-old solicitor from Reading, and a former RAF pilot. Long- time representative for Berkshire on the Rugby Union committee.
Easby (right) has been one of the more liberal voices in the RFU on the subject of commercialisation. At the start of the season, he said: "A code of conduct and a code of commerce to be followed by every international squad in the world would be a start.'' Easby looked set to clash with Carling in November. Carling considered legal action against the RFU when they blocked the publishing of an advertisement in the England v Romania match programme in which he was endorsing health insurance. Easby said: "Let me make it quite clear that, however unusual it might be for an England captain to consider legal action, it would have absolutely no bearing on his position."
Ian Beer
Last year's RFU President
Sixty-four-year-old former headmaster of Harrow School, and chairman designate of the Sports Council. Twice capped for England, against France and Scotland in 1955; he played club rugby for Bath and Harlequins.
As RFU president, he waged a campaign, after incidents on the All Blacks' tour of Britain, against violence on the pitch. "We all know what is acceptable. Let us have the courage to stand up and preserve our game. It was always assumed that someone who played rugby knew where to draw the line."
Bill Bishop
RFU vice-president
A retired government officer. In line to be the next RFU president. In Friday's Independent, Bishop wrote: "My reaction to this [Carling's comment]...is disbelief and disappointment. I can only assume the programme was made some time ago as it certainly does not reflect the current situation...There is a deep feeling of goodwill in this country for rugby, built up by many people over a long period with time given freely. We ignore that at our peril. Old age has a habit of catching up with everyone. Let's have a little respect, boys."
Peter Bromage and John Motum
RFU treasurers
Bromage is a Birmingham solicitor; Motum is a farmer from Chelmsford. They completed the five-man committee who sat in judgement on the England captain on Friday night.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments