Why didn't the wives say no?

I'm annoyed by this morning's story that Allen Stanford has apologised to the England players for leering at their wives and for asking Mrs Matt Prior to sit on his lap. I'm not saying that the middle-aged fool has behaved well and of course an apology is appropriate, but why is he the only one to blame? Or rather, why didn't Mrs Prior tell Stanford to sod off when he asked her to sit on his lap? I'm sure that's what my wife would do in the unlikely event that she should be at a party with Rupert Murdoch and the boss asked her to perch on his knees. Or at the very least she would refuse politely.

The idea that the England wives didn't want to resist him because he is bankrolling their house extensions is silly. He isn't going to pull his money out of the competition simply because a player's wife decides she'd rather not cosy up. Show some backbone, girls. Be feminists! Tweak his moustache if he goes too far!

Of course, another way of looking at it is that the women were quite happy with this lecherous sod's half-hearted advances, knew there was nothing sinister in it and didn't mind humouring him. The photos don't show that they looked uncomfortable with the situation. In which case, why are England making such a big deal out of it? It's hardly Indecent Proposal.

Is it simply because the players were embarrassed that the pictures were broadcast? Given the stories you hear about the leching and occasionally outright propositioning that some England players make towards women when their partners aren't present (not, I should emphasise for legal reasons, Matt Prior), I'm not sure I have any sympathy.

Comments

[David]

Maybe they were all well into the rum punch and didn't give a f@#*, have you considered that?

[TigerBoy]

Good grief!. What a non-story. Woman sits on man's lap.

[Siva]

Somewhere in the midst of their current miserable series against India, the Aussies will take note of this "incident". I can't wait to hear the sledges that will doubtless be hurled at Prior & Co during critical moments of the next Ashes series. ECB might as well be proactive and hire the services of a shrink to preserve its players' sanity during the Ashes.

[ryan]

emma prior was probably begging for a rich --ck

[Cricket Billionaire]

Unless he physically forced her to sit on his lap and smile, I don't really think the guy has anything to be sorry for... who wouldn't want a pretty little dolly bird bouncing around on him? She probably enjoyed being so close to all that wealth anyway.

[Raj]

Hi Patrick,

I can't believe that this is happening. Why haven't the England players walked out of the tournament.

[Ryan]

I won't say that I have much sympathy either, but I saw the incident and it summed up the whole 'tournament' - a disgrace. The fact that it was broadcast to the big screen from 'Stanford cam' was the icing on the cake. Cricket seems to have gone back to the Victorian era where cricket matches were staged to pander to the ego of wealthy patrons. I enjoyed the IPL, but this is a farce. Bet the ECB have a few regrets despite the cash(not least the 'helicopter at Lords' display).

[Blue Baby]

"The idea that the England wives didn't want to resist him because he is bankrolling their house extensions is silly. He isn't going to pull his money out of the competition simply because a player's wife decides she'd rather not be groped".

Nah. But he might ensure that the player doesn't get picked in future...

[Nirav]

Well said! It looked like a bit of harmless fun to me!

WHY didn't they simply say Nowhen he asked her to sit on his Lap

Money Talks !!!!!