Case Number:

ON/1356/18

Craig Lewis #18, West Wales

Competition:

League 1

Match:

West Wales v Keighley

Match Date:

2018-09-15

Incident:

Questioning the Integrity of a Match Official in the 47th minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule – 15.1(f)
Detail – Uses offensive or obscene language - Questioning the integrity of a Match Official
Grade – D

Fine:

£75

Sanctions:

3-5

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

Summary of CM's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 20th September 2018, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(f) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 47th minute of the above Match. You were dismissed as a result of this incident. In the Panel’s opinion you used foul and abusive language towards a Match Official, questioning their integrity. The Panel consider that your actions are contrary to the spirit of the game and constitute misconduct.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade D offence (Uses offensive or obscene language - Questioning the integrity of a Match Official). In accordance with the On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the normal suspension range for such offence is from a 3 to 5 match suspension.

The MRP were very concerned by the behaviour of Mr Lewis. He reacts to the Referee’s decision to award a knock-on, however, whether the decision of the Referee was correct is not relevant.

Mr Lewis reacts. A penalty for dissent is then given at which point Mr Lewis then uses bad language towards the Referee.

Such language towards a Referee and questioning the integrity of the Referee is not acceptable. The MRP also felt that there was an element of aggression to Mr Lewis’ behaviour.

The MRP felt Grade D was appropriate.

Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

The club has failed to respond to the e-mails and charge letter sent and has therefore not offered any submissions to the Tribunal.

Decision:

Guilty

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have listened to the submissions made and also watched footage of the incident in question.

They are of the opinion that the case is indeed proved and that this kind of behaviour has no place in the game.

This charge occurred following two incidents of Math Official Abuse and that kind of behaviour is utterly unacceptable. The Tribunal therefore feel that Grade D is the appropriate grading for this charge.

Taking into account all of the above the Tribunal therefore feel a 4 match suspension and £75 fine should be handed down.

Suspension:

4 matches