“It’s f****** not on,”
The incident unfolded as Leicester Tigers prepared to face Gloucester. During the warm-up, TV presenter Craig Doyle invited Liam MacDevitt to attempt a conversion kick as part of an initiation. However, the ball landed dangerously close to the Leicester players, prompting a swift reaction from Parling.
Parling’s anger was evident as he physically pushed Doyle, highlighting the risks posed by such actions. In the aftermath, Doyle apologized, acknowledging that Parling was understandably upset. “Sorry, Geoff not happy about that,”
Following the incident, Parling received an apology from TNT Sports, with the producer acknowledging the situation. Parling later remarked, “The producer from TNT has just come and apologised to me.” He emphasized the importance of protecting his players, stating, “I’m very wary I need to protect my players and certainly balls flying towards our players that could go anywhere where there’s an injury risk, then I’m obviously not going to be happy.”
The match itself ended with Leicester Tigers securing a 36-17 victory over Gloucester. This game was particularly significant as it was played in honor of former player Ed Slater, who is currently battling motor neurone disease.
Viewers of the TNT coverage had mixed reactions to the incident, with many discussing the appropriateness of the initiation stunt. The situation raised broader concerns about player safety in rugby, especially during warm-ups.
As Leicester Tigers celebrated their win, the focus also remained on the charity founded in Ed Slater’s name, 4Ed, which aims to raise awareness and funds for those affected by motor neurone disease.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further actions that may be taken following the incident, but the exchange has certainly sparked discussions about player safety and the responsibilities of broadcasters during live sports events.