Case Number:

ON/831/21

Josh Jones #13, Huddersfield

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Huddersfield v Hull FC

Match Date:

2021-07-22

Incident:

Punching in the 80th minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)
Punching – sustained. Repeated or violent
Grade C

Fine:

£500

Sanctions:

2 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 26th July 2021, 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 80th minute of the above Match. You were dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you threw repeated punches towards your opponent’s head in a violent manner. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary, had the potential to cause injury and against the spirit of the game.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade C offence – Punching – sustained. Repeated or violent. The normal suspension range for such offence is from 2 to a 3 Match Suspension.

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

Player in attendance alongside Ian Watson (Head Coach) and Andy Kelly (Rugby Manager).

IW addressed the panel and explained he thought that the opponent had been the aggressor in the incident. He was certain that the player did not throw any punches and that he is not guilty of the charge. He felt the footage showed no evidence of the player throwing any punches and added that the player had an exemplary disciplinary record.

JJ spoke and thanked everyone for listening. He talked through the incident and also confirmed he had no previous record.

He explained he went into the melee to try and protect his teammate. He explained he knew the opponent having played alongside side him and was simply trying to de-escalate the situation. After becoming involved he was hit two or three times and had to put his head down to try and shield himself. He added that the opponent tried to carry on the situation once the players had left the field and explained he had played over 200 matches without any previous issues.

AK told the panel he felt the footage showed no evidence of the player throwing any punches. He felt the opponent threw several punches and the player can be clearly seen to show no body movement, a fact he felt showed he did not throw any punches. He felt strongly the player was not guilty. The club could have pleaded the guilty but challenged the grading, however, they wanted to back the player.

Referee Chris Kendall also joined the hearing and answered questions from both sides. He explained he had a clear view of the incident and was certain that the player did throw two or three punches in retaliation.

Decision:

Guilty

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have watched the footage and listened to the submissions.

They are comfortably satisfied the player threw punches in response to his opponent throwing punches. They are satisfied that the Referee saw punches being thrown. He was on the ground at the time close to the incident and reacted immediately to what he saw by issuing red cards to both the player and his opponent. The Tribunal also note that the player was the first one to be issued a red card.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• MRP reviewed an incident which took place in approx. 80th minute
• The player was sent off following the incident
• MRP were concerned at the manner in which Mr Jones came into a melee with his opponent Mr Savelio
• The footage does not show Mr Jones connecting with his opponent head with punches however the referee in his report states that Mr Jones threw numerous punches that made direct contact to the head of Andre Savelio
• The MRP have no reason to disbelieve the referee given his position
• Violent act towards an opponent
• Potential for injury to the opponent
• Acts of this nature bring the game into disrepute
• Graded C due to;
- Repeated and sustained
- Significant force to the head area of an opponent
- Unsightly image for the sport

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal are satisfied that the punches thrown were blows to the head and uppercuts, however, the tribunal do feel on the evidence given that the grading is incorrect.

The Referee said the word numerous covers a range effectively and all it means is more than one and what is amounted to was more than one, maybe two or three.

The Tribunal cannot therefore be satisfied that is sustained and repeated violent and so we think the appropriate grade is Grade B – Punching – one on one.

Suspension:

1 match