Case Number:

ON/159/22

Gil Dudson #8, Catalans

Competition:

Super League

Match:

St Helens v Catalans

Match Date:

2022-02-10

Incident:

Striking out at 00 10

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 14th February 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 1st minute of the above Match. You were sin-binned following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you threw a punch which made contact with the head of your opponent. The Panel believed that your actions 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 – Strikes – punching – Reaction to opponent – lashing out – makes contact with Head of opponent.

The normal suspension range for such offence is from 3 to 5 matches.

• Incident occurs in approximately the 1st minute
• The player was sin binned following the incident
• Mr Dudson is involved in a tackle and is taken to ground
• Mr Dudson can be seen to be visually aggravated by events in the tackle
• It is then that Mr Dudson can be seen to throw a punch towards his opponent
• This can be seen to brush against the side of his opponents head
• No other punches it can be seen are thrown or connect in this instance from the player

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

GD in attendance alongside Steve McNamara (Head Coach) and Alex Chan (Sporting Director) and pleads Guilty.

GD explained he understood the charge and admitted to lashing out at an opponent. He told the panel that he did so after receiving a finger in his eye and had told the match officials. He only lashed out the once and did not feel it was an over-the-top reaction.

SM addressed the panel and said they fully understood the charge and the rules regarding contact with the head and concussion. He felt that GD reacted due to the contact with his eye area and that last year this kind of incident would have received a Caution or Grade A sanction. He asked the panel if in this instance a reduced sanction would be considered.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• 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 accepted that this was a single punch with a closed fist in retaliation for the player being manhandled in the tackle. However, it is not for the Tribunal to assess whether or not Mr Dudson had his eyes gouged.

The Tribunal note the players plea of guilt, but they found that this was a Grade D offence. They therefore impose a three-match suspension and £500 fine.

The Tribunal accepted this was not a forceful blow nor did it cause significant injury which is why they felt it was at the lower end of grade.

Suspension:

3 matches