Case Number:

ON/251/20

Jarrod Sammut #7, Leigh

Competition:

Championship

Match:

Leigh v Halifax

Match Date:

2020-03-08

Incident:

Dangerous Throw in the 39th minute (Barber)

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule – 15.1(d)
Detail – Lifting player into dangerous position
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 6th February, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(d) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 39th minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion during making a tackle you lifted your opponent (Barber) into a dangerous position. You were dismissed following this incident. 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 (Uses a Dangerous Throw – Other Dangerous Throw). In accordance with the On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the normal suspension range for such offence is 3 - 5 matches.

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

The hearing was conducted over the phone with CEO Neil Jukes who apologises for not attending in person. He pleads guilty on behalf of the player.

This was not a malicious tackle and there was no intent to injure the opponent. The club do not agree with the match officials report in that the player drove the opponent into the ground.

There is a weight difference between the players and when the player has lifted the opponent his own weight takes him forcibly to the ground. The player was dismissed from the field of play.

The player accepts he lifted but did not drive opponent into ground. The payer has a reasonably good record over a 15-year career. There was no intent to injure and no injury occurred to the opponent.

The coaching staff will work with the player regarding his technique.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Player accepts his guilt. There was no intention to injure the opponent and the players has had a 15 year career with a good disciplinary record.

Aggravating Factors:

2012 – High Tackle (Grade B – 1 match)
2019 – Contact with Match Official (Grade C – 2 matches)
2016 – Dangerous Throw (Caution)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have carefully viewed the footage and listened to the submissions made on behalf of the player.

This Tribunal are satisfied that the player had no intention to injure the opponent and that the tackled player was not driven into the ground, however, they understand the Match Officials report as he only had the opportunity to see the incident at match speed.

There was a lift that placed the opponent in a dangerous position, whilst the tackle was reckless and had the potential for serious injury. Fortunately, no injury resulted.

In deciding the appropriate sanction, the Tribunal take into account the acceptance of guilt, he was dismissed from the field and missed half the game and no injury resulted.

This Tribunal feel that a 4-match suspension and a £250 fine is appropriate.

Suspension:

4 matches