Case Number:

ON/611/19

Jack Downs #12, Batley

Competition:

Championship

Match:

Batley v Swinton

Match Date:

2019-04-22

Incident:

Late tackle in the 25th minute (Fairclough)

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule – 15.1(a)
Detail – Strikes with forearm/elbow – tackling – reckless
Grade – D

Fine:

£250

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 25th April 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 25th minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion you promoted your forearm and elbow towards the head of an opponent (Fairclough) and struck your opponent making contact with the head in a reckless manner. 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 D offence (Striking – strikes with the elbow/forearm – ball carrier - intentional). The normal suspension range for such offence is from 3 to 5 matches.

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

Player has submitted a letter in which he pleads guilty to the charge and apologises for been unable to attend due to work commitments.

He accepts the charge and admits that the contact looks dangerous and reckless, although states that it was not malicious and there was no intent to injure the opponent.

Player explains that he is not that type of player and in the letter he offers his apologies to the opponent and his club, plus his own team mates for letting them down.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

The incident was graded at Grade D for the following reasons:

• Player promotes forearm towards head of opponent
• Moves arm in an upward trajectory which will obviously make contact with the head
• The player puts force into the strike-player comes off the ground into contact with the opponents’ head
• Player reacts to forceful strike to the head-player receives treatment but plays on
• Player has clear view of opponent and his body position but promotes arm towards the opponents’ head
• Player had opportunity to make a more reasonable approach to the tackled player
• Such a reckless strike has the potential for serious injury

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Player accepts his guilt and apologises for his actions. He has no previous disciplinary record.

Reasons for Decision:

This Tribunal agree entirely with the MRP that the grading at Grade D is correct.

This was clearly a reckless strike to an opponent’s head and completed with force. It is accepted that there was no intent to injure the opponent, but this was a reckless act.

In deciding the appropriate sanction, the Tribunal take into account the players acceptance of guilt and the considerable and sincere remorse shown.

The player has an impeccable disciplinary record and this Tribunal feel that a 3-match suspension and £250 fine are appropriate.

Suspension:

3 matches