Editorial: Sexist conduct needs to be buried

John Maslin

IN an age of professional sportspeople, every action will create a reaction because the lives of those individuals are front and centre.

The good, bad and ugly are subjected to scrutiny because they are paid handsomely to perform while the fans pay handsomely to see them doing what they're exceptional at doing.

But that scrutiny doesn't start and stop on the field -- fame doesn't take a holiday at the final whistle.

There's a time when the stars need a little rest and recreation. That's understandable.

But there's an expectation of standards being maintained wherever they are and whatever they're doing. Pro athletes promote themselves -- or are promoted -- that way, as any number of adverts on TV featuring our nation's heroes illustrate.

But someone left the chapter about maintaining standards out of the Chiefs' Super Rugby franchise playbook. How else could they account for the boorish behaviour at the recent end-of-year party?

At some stage a stripper appeared and did what strippers are paid to do. But then she was allegedly groped by some players.

Some within the Chief organisation, as well as one of their major sponsors, said no one should be surprised with that sort of behaviour "from the boys".

That sort of sexist comment deserves to be buried along with those who argue that way.

Why did they need to have a stripper at all? Would she have been hired if the party had included players' wives or partners?

In this day and age it's hard to understand why this puerile behaviour is condoned. Yet it has been -- and by one of the nation's rugby franchises.

Professionals at the top of their game live in a fishbowl and are under public gaze -- it's the price of fame. Held up as role models for the young, these exemplars know what's expected of them.

Obviously the Chiefs haven't read that chapter yet. Here's a clue -- it's the one headed "Growing up and acting your age".