Case Number:

ON/369/19

Brendan Gibbons #, Featherstone Lions

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

York Acorn v Featherstone Lions

Match Date:

2019-03-10

Incident:

Violent conduct in the 66th minute (Hill)

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule (15.1 (a)
Detail - Striking – Other striking offences
Grade F

Fine:

£50

Sanctions:

8+ or period suspension

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 21st March you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(a) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 66th minute of the above Match. You were dismissed following the incident In the Panel’s opinion you became involved in a confrontation and struck your opponent and when he fell to the floor, you struck your opponent in the head area while he was off guard and kicked him in the head area. The Panel believed that your actions were serious, unnecessary and had the potential to cause your opponent serious injury.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade F offence (Striking – Other Striking Offences). The normal suspension range for such offence is from 8 plus match suspension.

The player was dismissed following the Referee confirming he had witnessed him “fighting in back play.”

Having reviewed the footage the MRP were satisfied that the player had both punched and kicked an opposing player, including whilst the opponent was on the ground.

The recommended grades for such an offence is A-F. This incident was graded Grade F due to:

- The player clearly struck an opponent twice with force
- Whilst the opponent was then laying prone on the ground and defenceless, the player then punches the opponent again and kicks the opponent in the head
- Following this the player then attempts to again punch his opponent whilst he remains on the ground
- The MRP noted the opponent was surrounded by a number of the players team mates, however, the MRP felt that the players actions were more serious
- The MRP felt the players actions were violent, sustained and disproportionate
- The MRP felt it was fortunate the opponent was not more seriously injured

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

The player attended the hearing alongside Committee Member Dave Downs.

Speaking first the player admitted to throwing the punches but denied that he kicked his opponent.

Mr Downs told the Tribunal that the club had previous history with their opponents, whilst he also apologised on behalf of the club for what had happened. He said the club have tried to not get involved with this kind of behaviour but on this occasion, it had become a very hostile atmosphere.

The player then admitted that what he had done was wrong but reiterated he did not kick his opponent. He said he was knocked off balance in the melee but did not direct a kick.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Aggravating Factors:

2015: Running in & Punching (1 match)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have watched the footage and listened to the submissions of both sides.

They are aware that this was part of a big incident in which the player ran to become involved in an altercation he was not initially part of. He proceeded to throw several punches with force, before then throwing an even bigger punch at an opponent who was by then on the ground. With regards to the kick the Tribunal feel this is contentious and they are unsure whether this was deliberate or a reckless use of the foot.

They do however feel that the player has let himself, his club and the game down with his actions and are of the opinion that an example needs to be set.

They therefore are in agreement that a 12-match suspension be imposed along with a fine of £50.

Suspension:

12 matches