The Elite League’s announcement that it has introduced increased financial penalties for players, coaches and club officials who make improper comments regarding referees, linesmen or the Department of Player Safety has caused plenty of debate across various platforms.
Paul Thompson’s rant after Sheffield Steelers’ 3-2 defeat at Cardiff Devils last Sunday appears to have been the final straw for the league as it strives to stop criticism of its officials.
In our latest Twitter Talk feature, we take a look at the reaction to the news:
BREAKING NEWS: EIHL announces crackdown on dissent: https://t.co/G8c47F3ov1 pic.twitter.com/ZHuixeJoIj
— EIHL (@officialEIHL) December 2, 2016
Vorobyev wins player of the week and now we’re having a crackdown on dissent. I think we all know who’s really in charge of the EIHL pic.twitter.com/O5WwmOBzrs
— Poppy (@Popppppy) December 2, 2016
Haha, retroactive fines?! The EIHL need some money for the Christmas party?
Don’t fix issues, force people to stop complaining about them!? https://t.co/HIHiBqyjWw
— Dan (@ShoryuDan) December 2, 2016
So fines have been given out prior to this EIHL statement???
— Becky Hubbard (@Bec2480) December 2, 2016
@officialEIHL I think it’s time tony smith stepped aside from one of these either eihl chairman or steelers !!! shouldn’t and can’t be both
— wayne roberts (@waynerob12) December 2, 2016
So EIHL now cracking down on players, coaches & any associated with clubs for telling truth that some refs arent up to the job #truthhurts
— Andy Roberts (@ic3creamman) December 2, 2016
Until the EIHL tackle the root cause that creates dissent it will be nothing more than lip service. They will do anything but look inwards
— michael owens (@dizzleviper) December 2, 2016
Eihl fans complain the league doesn’t do enough to promote itself, yet moan like heck at everything they try ? it’s just like Scottish fitba
— Ross Day (@RCDayster) December 2, 2016
@84arussell @RobMcGregor35 the EIHL is a self governing league. So don’t moan about something you can change.Don’t like Dops?Make it better
— Seth Bennett (@Sethb45) December 2, 2016
So no explanation on the inconsistency or the inexperienced European refs or the lack of goal line technology but question it get fined ??
— EIHL MEMES (@EIHLMEMES) December 2, 2016
Who is going to enforce this?
‘You owe EIHL a £1000 fine’
‘No I dont’
‘Yes you do’
‘Make me’
…. https://t.co/X1BAZCmvcr— Anna Corrigan (@avcorrigan89) December 2, 2016
@officialEIHL so instead of fixing the REAL problem you’re imposing a gagging order. The rest of the world will see the EIHL as useless now!
— Graham S-Wright (@grahamswright) December 2, 2016
Is it really so difficult to see that how DOPS performs has nothing to do with the disciplinary guidelines for coaches and players? #eihl
— Paul Settle (@Sett90) December 2, 2016
@DomBate I agree, I’m 100% for supporting officials they work hard. It’s the EIHL’s inability to consider player safety that concerns me.
— DrVictoriaSilverwood (@SilverwoodVS) December 2, 2016
You know another thing that might help this latest #EIHL ‘furore’ – let the refs explain their decisions.
— Boab Fallon (@BoabyLuv16) December 2, 2016
The EIHL has rarely been in such a good place with regards bums on seats, fan engagement with clubs, competitiveness across the league…
— Ryan Donaldson (@rjdon77) December 2, 2016
…whilst also rarely being in such a bad place with regards the chairman, officiating, unprofessionalism, DOPS, etc. Huge shakeup needed.
— Ryan Donaldson (@rjdon77) December 2, 2016
Things can’t be looking too good on the Christmas bonus front at EIHL & DOPS….soon sorted that didn’t they #finegate ???
— Julie Clough (@JulieClough0702) December 2, 2016
@tarna55 @mmacleod80 @JCW110470 @PuckStopsHere67
I think @FifeFlyers have legitimate reasons for anger
This is a dreadful move by EIHL— SonofBonzo1 (@sonofbonzo1) December 2, 2016
(Image permission: Scott Wiggins)
