Case Number:

ON/685/21

Kenny Edwards #11, Huddersfield

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Huddersfield v Catalans

Match Date:

2021-07-01

Incident:

Other Contrary Behaviour in the 47th minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Other Contrary Behaviour

Grade F

Fine:

£500

Sanctions:

8+

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 3rd July 2021, 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 48th minute of the above Match. The incident was placed on report. In the report, your opponent complained to the referee and touch judge that a Huddersfield Player had put a finger up his bum and the footage showed that your hand was in the vicinity of your opponent’s buttock region. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary, against the spirit of the game 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 F offence - Other Contrary Behaviour. The normal suspension range for such offence is from 8 plus matches.

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

Player in attendance alongside Andy Kelly (Rugby Manager).

AK informed the panel and explained the actions of the player were committed without thought. He added that the player had supplied a number of character statements.

KE addressed the panel and admitted the charge and that he had done it on purpose. He explained he was best friends with the opponent and they were regularly playing jokes on each other. Their families are also close.

He admitted what he did was wrong but emphasised the close relationship the two had and that he had also played alongside him during a stint playing for Catalans. Despite a chequered past he explained he was working hard in putting things in place to prove he is a better person/player. It was a dumb mistake and one which has caused him to be hammered in the media.

AK added that the player is one of a few players that has become involved in the Academy side at the club. He acts as a mentor to the players and that there was honesty in the submissions that the player had given. The club will support the player as he tries to change but at the same times does certainly not condone this kind of behaviour.

Decision:

Guilty plea

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 – Other Contrary Behaviour
• Incident occurred in the 47th minute of the match
• Mr Edwards’ grabs Mr Kasiano’s shirt with his left hand and then proceeds to put his right hand between the buttocks of his opponent
• The movement of the arm into this position demonstrates intent whether sought to harm or not. It is an intentional act
• Contact is made on the opponent inappropriately and unnecessarily
• Contact takes place for almost 2 seconds. It is not fleeting
• Footage demonstrates that the thumb is pressed against the top of the buttocks and the fingers are in between the buttocks as the tackle moves round
• Immediate physical reaction from Mr Kasiano who jumps up and shouts out
• Mr Kasiano reports after a Huddersfield try that ‘a Huddersfield player has stuck a finger up his bum’
• Footage clearly shows it to be Mr Edwards’ hand placed in the area
• Graded F due to:
- Unnecessary and not part of the game
- Attempt to gain an advantage over an opponent
- Intentional act
- Nature of the contact – opponent states a finger has gone up his bum so pressure has been applied
- Clear reaction by opponent to this
- No place in the game for such acts
- Akin to attacks to testicles which also carries a Grade F sanction
- Brings the game into disrepute

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for their submissions. They note that the charge is admitted, and they have watched the footage of the incident several times.

The player needs to be aware of the public facing image the game has and the effect that this kind of incident has to the public. This kind of behaviour can also impact on partners, sponsors and other stakeholders within the game. This is a family game and the player has shown a complete lack of judgement.

The Tribunal have taking into account the character references but are aware that actions such as this can tarnish the sport.

It is therefore decided the player should be suspended for 10 matches and fined £500.

Suspension:

10 matches