Case Number:

ON/373/19

Danny Glassell #21, Featherstone Lions

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

York Acorn v Featherstone Lions

Match Date:

2019-03-10

Incident:

Strikes in the 71st minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule 15.1 (a)
Detail – Punching – Repeated, Violent and Aggressive
Grade D

Fine:

£50

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 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. In the Panel’s opinion you became involved in a confrontation and struck your opponent several times whilst he was on the floor. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary and had the potential to cause your opponent injury.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade D offence (Striking – Punching – Repeated, Violent and Aggressive). The normal suspension range for such offence is from a 3 – 5 match suspension.

Having reviewed the footage the MRP were satisfied that Mr Glassell had struck an opposing, including whilst the opponent was on the ground.

The recommended grade for such an offence is C-D and the MRP decided on Grade D due to:

- The player can be seen provoking an opponent who then strikes him
- The player then proceeds to strike his opponent. Team mates then contribute and the opponent is pushed to the ground. The player then ends up on top of his opponent, who is laying prone on the ground, before punching him to the head a number of times in the head area

The MRP felt the players actions were sustained/repeated and violent. They felt that is was fortunate the opponent was not more seriously injured.

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

The player was represented by Featherstone Lions committee member Dave Downs.

Mr Downs explained that the player couldn’t attend due to work commitments, however, he confirmed that the player would be pleading guilty to the charge.

He told the Tribunal that he agreed with the CM’s submissions and explained that the team had been subjected to pre-match hostility from opposing fans, some of which included threats to the players. He confirmed that the club had had previous incidents with the opposition last season.

He informed the Tribunal that the player had withstood a lot of abuse during the game and had laughed at the opponent following the scoring of a try by his side. He then retaliated after been struck by the opponent in question.

He added that the team had issues with opposing spectators after the game and believed that the Referee had done a good job under difficult circumstances.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Aggravating Factors:

2018: Running in & Punching (2 matches)
2017: Shoulder Charge (Sending Off Sufficient)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have watched footage of the incident and listened carefully to the submissions made by both sides.

They feel that what occurred has no place in the game and would certainly not be good viewing for any young people that might be watching.

The incident involved a very serious risk of injury to the opponent and the Tribunal take a very serious view on what was completely unacceptable behaviour. They therefore feel a 5-match suspension and £50 should be handed down.

Suspension:

5 matches