Case Number:

ON/012/22

Liam Harris #19, York

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:

£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 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.

• Incident occurs in approximately the 68th minute
• Player was sin binned following the incident
• Player is involved in a skirmish with opponent Mr Clare
• Opponent Mr Clare comes towards Mr Harris and throws a punch connecting with the head area of Mr Harris
• Mr Harris retaliates by throwing a punch towards Mr Clare connecting with the head area
• This can be seen by the movement of Mr Clare’s jaw
• 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

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

LH in attendance alongside India Seaton (Legal Rep) and pleads guilty.

IS addressed the panel and explained that although LH accepts his guilt they do feel a lesser Grade such as Grace B or C would be more appropriate.

They feel that LH struck out in retaliation after opponents made contact with his head/neck as the tackle was been completed. They do acknowledge that a punch was thrown, however this was done in self-defence and following severe provocation. They felt this was done with reasonable force as he tried to protect himself.

LH reiterated the above. He explained he was sorry for his actions and that he regrets them. He added that he had a clean previous disciplinary record.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for the submissions.

They accept that the punch was thrown in retaliation, however, the are of the opinion that it was not an act of self-defence, and that the player could have taken other courses of action instead.

The Tribunal agree that the grading if correct at Grade D, although they acknowledge the players clean previous disciplinary record. They therefore feel a 3-match suspension should be imposed.

Suspension:

3 matches