Social Media Rules For British & Irish Lions Players Revealed

The British and Irish Lions have opted not to impose a social media blackout on their players before and after each of the 10 matches in New Zealand.

Blackouts have become increasingly popular in sport over the last number of years, as coaches expect their players to be fully focused and not distracted by their interactions on social media websites.

The Telegraph are reporting that the Lions will instead encourage the players to be “good digital tourists.” They have however, received a ‘social media pack’ which outlines rules, regulations, and guidelines surrounding their use of social media during the tour.

A contract was sent out to players ahead of last Wednesday’s announcement, containing a social media clause that stated players would undertake not to use any form of social media during any of the 10 matches during a “specified period of time prior to the kick-off of a match and after the conclusion of a match, to be advised by the tour head of communications”.

It’s now been revealed that this will only be invoked in extreme circumstances or if the players themselves under captain Sam Warburton decide it should be adopted during the tour.  What do you think? Should the typical 36 hours before and after game ban be imposed?