Case Number:

ON/011/22

James Clare #2, Castleford

Competition:

Warm Up Matches

Match:

York v Castleford

Match Date:

2022-01-16

Incident:

Punching at 1 11 20 (68th minute)

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Strikes Punching - Reaction to opponent – lashing out -– makes contact with Head of opponent

Grade D

Fine:

£500

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 20th January 2022, 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 68th minute of the above Match. You were sin binned for the offence. In the Panel’s opinion you punched out at your opponent. The Panel believe that your actions were unnecessary, against the spirit of the game and had the potential to injure your opponent.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade D offence (Strikes – punching – Reaction to opponent – lashing out – makes contact with Head of opponent). The normal suspension range for such offence is a 3 - 5 Match Suspension.

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

JC in attendance alongside Danny Wilson (Head of Rugby) and pleads guilty.

DW explained that JC had retaliated following receiving an elbow to the face whilst on the ground in tackle. JC again confirmed that JC accepts his guilty to the charge and asked that the players exemplary previous record be considered.

JC apologised for his actions. He explained following an elbow to his face and that any punch thrown was not aimed at the opponent’s head. He added he understood the concussion implications that any contact to the head could result in.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Incident occurs in approximately the 68th minute
• Player was sin binned following the incident
• Player is involved in a skirmish with opponent Mr Harris
• Mr Clare proceeds to comes towards Mr Harris and throws a punch connecting with the top of the head area of Mr Harris
• Mr Harris retaliates by throwing a punch towards Mr Clare connecting with the head area
• No other punches it can be seen are thrown or connect in this instance from the player
• Grade D due to:
- One Punch thrown that connects with the head area
- There are not numerous punches thrown in this instance
- Punch is not one of a forceful nature
- Potential for injury
- Clubs have been updated about the proposed changes to the Guidelines in this area throughout 2021 and the confirmed rules were circulated in December

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for the submissions and acknowledge the guilty plea made by the player and they also note the players clean previous disciplinary record.

The Tribunal are in agreement that the Grading at Grade D is correct. They therefore feel a 3 match suspension should be imposed.

Suspension:

3 matches