Case Number:

ON/713/19

Jack Owens #5, Widnes

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

Wakefield v Widnes

Match Date:

2019-05-10

Incident:

Uses foul or abusive language in the 64th minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule – 15.1(f)
Detail – Questioning the integrity of a Match Official
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 13th May, 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 64th minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion, you used foul and abusive language towards a Match Official and questioned the integrity of the Match Official. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary 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 3 to 5 matches.

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

Player in attendance and accompanied by Kieron Purtill Head Coach. Player totally accepts his guilt and the club and the player do not condone and fully accept the severity of the charge against the player. The club accept the questioning of any official is unacceptable. The player shows considerable remorse and apologies for his actions. His is ashamed of his conduct. His parents were in the crowd. This was a heat of the moment comment and totally out of character. Player accepts he left himself and his team mate down. Players representative asks for consistency by the tribunal in deciding appropriate sanction in the instance and in doing so introduces a comparable case of Hull KR player Joel Tomkins who was charged with a similar offence of questioning the integrity of an official. In this instance the player questioned the integrity of an official on two separate occasions. Tomkins was charged with a grade D offence. The panel on that occasion went outside the guidelines and imposed a 2 match suspension-giving the reasons as acceptance of guilt-previous good record and considerable remorse shown by that player. In this instance this player Owens used foul and abusive language on one occasion not two occasions. The player Owens has a good record and the behaviour is totally out of character. He accepts his guilt and has shown remorse. It is asked that the tribunal take this previous comparable case into consideration when deciding the appropriate sanction for player Owens. The player Tomkins received a 2 match suspension and a fine even though he had a previous disciplinary record and numerous instances where the MRP had viewed the players actions during the course of previous games.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

The reasons for Grading at Grade D were as follows:-
The dismissal occurs in 64th minute player does not take direct route to return to the defensive line and speaks to the Touch Judge
The player runs towards the official and uses foul and abusive language in which he questions the integrity of the match official
Respect of match officials is integral to the game of rugby league
Questioning the integrity of match officials is a serious matter
The player made an unnecessary and purposeful approach towards the Official-used foul and abusive language towards the official

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Previous good record in a 9yr playing career
Accepts his guilt and accepts actions totally unacceptable
Shown considerable remorse and is ashamed of his actions
Let his team and the club down
Involved in community work and these actions are totally out of character.

Aggravating Factors:

Breach of Respect policy

Mitigating Factors:

No disciplinary record

Reasons for Decision:

This tribunal wish to make is perfectly clear that abuse of this sort-questioning the integrity of a match official is wholly unacceptable. The Tribunal feel that this was similar to Mr Tomkins case as referenced albeit that the player has a better disciplinary record. This Tribunal have decided this players case on its own merits. This player has a playing career of 9 years. 7 years in Super league. The player has no reference to the MRP or any previous involvement with the disciplinary process. This player has pleaded guilty and is clearly remorseful and embarrassed at his unacceptable behaviour. He is a much valued member of the club involved in community work and doing voluntary work within the club at a difficult time for the club. As a result it is clear to this Tribunal that these actions are totally out of character. The player was immediately sent from the field of play. Taking all of these factors into consideration this tribunal feel in this case the tribunal can go outside of the range for a grade D and impose a 2 match suspension. This tribunal make it clear that the Tomkins decision has played no part in the decision made by this tribunal this evening and should in no way be seen as setting any precedent for what this tribunal feel as serious offending. This tribunal impose a 2 match suspension and a £250 fine.

Suspension:

2 matches