Case Number:

ON/385/19

Joe Greenwood #11, Wigan

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Salford v Wigan

Match Date:

2019-03-24

Incident:

Intentionally stands on ankle in the 37th minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

15.1(a)
Trips, kicks or strikes another player
Intentionally stands on

Fine:

£500

Sanctions:

1 Match Penalty Notice

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Not Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 25th 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 37th minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion following the making of a tackle you intentionally stood on an opponent. 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 A offence (Trips, kicks or strikes another player. Intentionally stands on) The normal suspension range for such offence is from 0 match to a 1 match suspension.

Having reviewed the footage the MRP felt that Mr Greenwood intentionally stood on an opponent and they noted the following in coming to this decision:

- Mr Greenwood is in a 3-man tackle. The tackle has been completed
- In the action of standing up clearly feels the ankle of the opponent with his left hand. It is clear that he would have known that this was the leg of his opponent
- He then appears to place the opponents leg in a position where he could stand on it in the process of standing up
- He put his own weight on to the ankle/foot of his opponent with his own foot when standing up

The range of grading for this offence is B to D, however, the MRP decided on a Grade A due to:

- Clear from the reaction of the opponent that the amount of pressure put onto the ankle was not excessive
- Act of standing on his opponent does not last for a long period of time
- There is no injury caused

Accordingly, the MRP felt it appropriate to go outside of the recommended range of grades for this offence.

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

The player attended alongside his Assistant Coach John Winder.

Mr Winder opened submissions and stated he thought the incident was accidental and having watched the footage explained that this kind of incident looked worse when viewed at normal speed. He felt that the player was pushing up to get back into the defensive line by sprinting to retreat back.

He felt that the player was looking forward and not down and that there was no reaction from the opponent and certainly not a lot of pressure applied. There was also no reaction from other members of the opposition, and they had actually received a letter of support from the opposing club.

The player then addressed the Tribunal and stated he was shocked when the charge came through. He was of the opinion that is was a completely accidental incident and – as a player who weights 110kg – if the act had been committed on purpose there would have been a reaction from his opponent.

Decision:

Guilty

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have carefully viewed the footage and listened to the submissions made from both sides.

After careful consideration the Tribunal feel that the incident was indeed intentional and therefore fine the player guilty of the offence.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

The CM added that the MRP felt the incident was correctly graded at Grade A.

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Speaking on behalf of the player Mr Winder again reiterated that the incident was accidental.

Aggravating Factors:

2019: Strikes with hand, arm or shoulder – Grade A
2018: Dangerous Contact – Grade A (1 match)
2016: Punching – One on One – minor – Grade A

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for their submissions but confirm that they are of the opinion that the player intentionally stood on his opponent.

They feel that he held onto to the leg of the opponent and used that as a guide before promoting his leg further forward in order to stand on the ankle of the opponent.

They do not feel the incident is worthy of an additional game but do however agree that a 1 match suspension should be handed down as well as a £500 fine.

Suspension:

1 match