Case Number:

ON/098/20

Chris Davies #10, West Wales

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

West Wales v Underbank

Match Date:

2020-02-08

Incident:

Other Contrary Behaviour in the 78th minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule – 15.1(i)
Detail – Gouge
Grade – E

Fine:

£75

Sanctions:

4-8

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Not Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 20th February, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(i) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 78th minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion, evidence presented suggests you promoted your fingers in the eye region of your opponent and applied pressure. You were dismissed following this incident. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary, had the potential to cause your opponent an injury, against the true spirit of the game and constitute Misconduct.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade E offence (Behaves in way contrary to the true spirit of the game – gouging) In accordance with the On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the normal suspension range for such offence is 4 - 8 matches.

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

The player submitted a statement via e-mail ahead of the hearing.

He confirmed that he would not be in attendance and explained towards the end of the game he went into a tackle with an opponent and they both went to ground.

When the tackle was complete in his haste to get back to his feet he put his hand down on the opponents head as he got up. The player confirmed that he did not realise his fingers were anywhere near his opponent’s eyes. It was not intentional and purely accidental and because of the other players coming in afterwards to remonstrate he did not even see the player was still on the floor.

He confirmed had he had known what had happened he would have apologised and it wasn’t until he had received a red card that he found out what he had alleged to have done.

He therefore asked that due to the above the tribunal look leniently on this when summing up.

Decision:

Guilty

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have watched the footage and listened to the submissions from both sides and are content that the charge is correct.

After viewing the footage, the player can be seen to make initial contact to the face of his opponent whilst they are both standing up, after which they both go to ground as the tackle is completed.

Once on the ground the players left hand is placed in the face of his opponent and is then re-adjusted to be placed on the back of the opponent’s head. The players right hand is then pressed into the face of the opponent and downward pressure is applied.

The Tribunal are of the opinion that this was both intentional and deliberate.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Player charged under RFL Rule 15.1(i) Behaves in any way contrary to the true spirit of the game – gouge
• Incident occurred in the 78th minute of the match. Player dismissed
• Mr Davies makes unnecessary contact to the right eye of opponent after the tackle is complete
• Immediate physical reaction from opponent
• Footage clearly shows Mr Davies’s hand placed in the area in which contact has been made
• Graded E due to;
- Charge starts at Grade E
- Unnecessary and not part of the game
- Clear intent due to the nature of the contact – could not be accidental
- No place in the game for such acts
- Brings the game into disrepute

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have carefully considered matters which occurred in the 78th minute of the above game.

The are concerned that the player has not shown any admission of fault or indeed any remorse for his actions.

The note that the player has a previously clean disciplinary record, however, in this instance they are in agreement that the grading at Grade E is correct.

They therefore feel a 6 match suspension and fine of £75 are appropriate.

Suspension:

6 matches