@darlingst said in [Gag order required for Hagipantelis and Pascoe](/post/1349259) said:
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2021-common-denominator-in-wests-tigers-nightmare-isnt-michael-maguire/news-story/a44bbcf937ded02ead59ca0bc5b9bfad
Don’t make it personal – or there’ll be severe consequences.
Angry Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has hit out at personal vitriol directed as his board, front office, coaching staff and players, claiming individual condemnation was “offensive, unnecessary, unhelpful, inappropriate and unfair”.
And the Brydens Lawyers principal has threatened legal action against any personal slurs that “cross the line”.
Hagipantelis is already receiving legal advice over insinuations made about him in a rival media outlet.
Hagipantelis claims to accept criticism about the club and its performances but has come out swinging against personal attacks being fired off at his players and staff.
“Play the ball, not the man,” Hagipantelis said. “If you don’t like the decisions we make then go to town. But when it’s personal, it’s a very different story.
“We are open to criticism because the results aren’t there, they speak for themselves and this is a results-driven industry. There is a legitimate case to criticise the club for not fulfilling the expectations of fans and members, that’s fair enough.
“If there are decisions taken by the club that they do not agree with then we are open to be criticised. I have no qualms with that.
“But what I do not like is the personal criticism. When the criticism is directed at the individual personally, then that is unnecessary and unhelpful. Its inherently unfair and inappropriate to level personal criticism at an individual.”
“It stings. People like myself and the board who fulfil these roles … we don’t get paid. We do it out of the passion, commitment and love for this club. To question people’s motives and agendas, I find that offensive.
“It’s difficult to understand why there is such criticism of the front office. I know the front office has fully committed itself to support the football department and the team.”
Hagipantelis confirmed he would consider action against any personal attack.
“If someone crossed the line, and posted any defamatory then that would receive an appropriate response,” he said.
“There is a line that should not be crossed and if any comments were made that we deemed to be defamatory of myself or any person in the club, then that would receive all due consideration from a legal perspective.”
The club continues to support embattled coach Michael Maguire with Hagipantelis adamant his club would continue to be “united” in the face of heavy criticism and scrutiny.
Despite having a bolstered playing roster this season, Wests Tigers are in crisis having won just one of the club’s first seven rounds this season. They sit equal last with Brisbane and Canterbury.
A 40-6 loss to Manly last Sunday has heaped additional pressure and disapproval onto the Concord club, its players, board and management.
“The club is not immune from the frustration and disappointment that our fans and members experiencing. We share it with them. As a club, we accept responsibility, and, as a club, we are united, absolutely united, despite all the external noise, distractions and narratives being pushed,” he said.
“We are all on the same page and are working hard because it’s not the beginning of the season we were hoping for. But we have absolute faith and confidence in our structures, in our resources and facilities and our staff.
“The club itself is more financially stable and better run than it has ever been, off the paddock. There’s no doubt about that. And our football department is as well-resourced as it has ever been, with assistant coaches, dietitians and sports scientists.
“There is no reason for any panic or knee-jerk reaction. The response has to be harder work and that’s what we’re committed to working.”
Wests Tigers play St George Illawarra on Sunday in Wollongong. Defeat would add another layer of excruciating pressure on every member of the club.
“All the ingredients are there, it’s just a matter of it coming together over a sustained period,” Hagipantelis said.
“We are working to identify why we are sitting on one win and why there hasn’t been consistent performances over the 80 minutes.