Updated 8 p.m.: the money did not drive the decision to dismiss Rugby stars paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, head of Ulster Rugby said.
Shane Logan also rejected criticism that the two players whose contracts were cancelled at the weekend, was, in fact, abandoned to the fate of his club and country.
Mr. Logan, who refused to resign as chief Executive officer, said he believed the men had committed a “serious mistake”, but he hopes they will have success elsewhere.
He said, “they did a lot for Ulster and Ireland in Rugby.
“They made a very serious mistake.
Jackson, 26, and his 25-year-old partner Olding was acquitted of raping the same woman in June 2016.
Jackson was also unanimously found not guilty of sexual abuse.
Mr. Logan said that they do not believe that they will play for Ireland or Ulster again.
Loud judicial trial, which ran for nine weeks in Belfast in the Royal court identified a series of explicit and offensive text exchange sexually, which caused a wave of protest in social networks and on the streets.
Shane Logan.
However, Mr. Logan batted away claims that the IRFU retreated to the howl of the crowd Twitter or that the decision was motivated by money.
“No sponsor, including Bank of Ireland drove the decision,” he added.
“We took the view of the Board All rights in society, directly in front of our supporter groups, our sponsor group, Players, clubs, volunteers, we are part of society.
“The players themselves have admitted in their statements that they are far from what is expected of them.”
Speaking publicly for the first time after the rape trial last month ended, Mr. Logan said he was “shocked” that the arrest, trial and content of the harassing messages that have been addressed during the trial.
“I think we were all in shock, because I don’t think that it later turned out, was in accordance with what we know about them or do we expect that any of us behave”, he said
“We waited quite consciously with the IRFU, before trying to judge and weigh the facts and what happened after the trial.
Both Olding and Jackson expressed regret that their future lies with Ulster.
Mr. Logan said that the morale in the team struggling this season, was also struck.
However, he insisted on his position at the top is not under threat.
He said: “my role is not in question. My role here in very traumatic circumstances, need to do at least two things.
“One of them, to ensure that existing programs the reinforcement that players receive and the people of Rugby will get the most effective.
“The second thing we should do is try to realize that people have very different points of view and try to find positive territory, a unified approach to move forward.
“We intend to put the decision behind you and move on. There is no doubt that we were all significantly affected by the costs and staff.
“I think the players and staff and the wider Rugby a good idea to do as well as they did in very difficult conditions.
“We need to focus on finishing the season as strongly as possible”.
“There was a huge, massive spectrum of views expressed, and at the end of the day we Irish Rugby needs to make the right decision for the team at all levels.
“The overwhelming sentiment is sad. It was extremely difficult and traumatic for all involved in the case.
“There is absolutely no winners, but our task is to try and choose the right course for the future. The decision was made and we must now control the future”.
Meanwhile, Mr. Logan also refused to comment on rumors about the fees of the settlement.
“What, like any good relationship between employer and employee is not something that is in the public domain”, he said.
– Press Association
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
