Case Number:

ON/251/22

Danny Levi #9, Huddersfield

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Huddersfield v Hull KR

Match Date:

2022-02-19

Incident:

Pulls at injured player at 20:30

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1(i)

Behaves in any way contrary to the true spirit of the game (includes Dangerous Contact) – Other contrary behaviour

Grade C

Fine:

£500

Sanctions:

2 Match Penalty Notice

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty, but challenging the grading

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 21st February 2022, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(i) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at Opta time 20:30 of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion you attempted to move an injured player. 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 C offence – Behaves in any way contrary to the true spirit of the game (includes Dangerous Contact) – Other contrary behaviour.

The normal suspension range for such offence is from 2 to 3 matches.

• MRP were concerned at the manner in which Mr Levi makes contact with his opponent.
• The opponent Mr Lewis comes away from an incident which Mr Levi is involved in with the opponent appearing to suffer from an injury
• Mr Lewis is laid flat on his front holding his neck
• Mr Levi can see that his opponent is in distress and that any injury is to the neck area
• Player initially goes and stands over but then grabs a hold of the opponent’s collar and the footage clearly shows that he moves his opponent slightly. The collar pulls on the neck, the area of the body the opponent is holding.
• It is not for any player in any circumstances to have physical contact with a player who may be injured. Injured players need treatment from appropriately trained medical staff to ensure that any injury is appropriately managed in the initial stages and is not made worse.
• Whether a player is in fact injured, and if so to what extent, is exclusively a matter for the assessment of the medical staff in conjunction with any necessary match official input.
• Contact, of whatever type/force, from another player upon a seemingly injured player has the potential for serious medical consequences for that injured player.
• In very limited circumstances a player may render immediate physical assistance to another player who is obviously seriously injured. This is not the case here. Mr Levi is in no way attempting to assist the injured player. His actions are in a purely negative manner.
• The incident was not part of play.
• This offence carries a possible Grading from A to F. In this particular case, the MRP felt that the degree of force used, the fact that the opponent was already clearly injured with the potential for further injury, the complete disregard for the opponent’s welfare and the negative and derogatory manner in which Mr Levi acted – contrary to the true spirit of the game with such actions having no place on the Rugby League field of play.
• Information has been circulated with regards to Head Contacts and players must be aware now of their responsibility in this area

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

DL in attendance alongside Andy Kelly (Rugby Manager) and Ian Watson (Head Coach) and pleads guilty but challenges the grading.

AK explained that the player is not denying his actions, however, the club feel that the grading is overzealous.

They feel that there is minimal force used and the actions of the player are not aggressive. DL puts his fingers under the collar of his opponent’s shirt and there is only a slight movement of the opponent. They believe this is careless rather than reckless and there is no intent to cause injury.

There is no reaction from the Physio who comes on to treat the opponent and he regains his fee and suffers no ill effects.

DL then talked the panel through the incident. He explained that the opponent had been shouting “crusher” whilst the tackle was in progress. There was no reaction from the Referee, and he felt that the opponent was “milking” the penalty. He said he bent over the opponent and told him to get up, then gently pulled his jersey, before moving away when the physio entered.

He understood the seriousness of head/neck injuries and was not aware that he should not touch an opponent, however, he was now.

The club them introduced a comparison clip (Hastings – Grade A) which they felt showed that this charge should be downgraded.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Graded C due to:
- Unnecessary contact
- Aggressive actions
- Clear movement of an opponent in an area of the body where the apparent injury has occurred
- Duty of care owed to opponent
- Do not touch players who are potentially injured in anyway

Aggravating Factors:

11/06/20 – Dangerous Contact (0 matches)
18/08/18 – Contrary Conduct (0 matches)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for their submissions. They note that the opponent does not move after the tackle had been completed and that the player attempts to pull him up. This kind of action has the potential to cause serious injury.

It is not for players to decide whether an opponent is injured or not, that is for the Doctors or Physios. Head or neck injuries are not to be underestimated and the Tribunal feel this kind of action is irresponsible.

The Tribunal have viewed the comparison clip but feel that but feel thar there are differences compared to this charge, notably that the opponent is on his haunches.

Whilst they agree that minimal force is used in this instance and there is no intent to cause harm they do believe that the grading of Grade C is correct.

They note the players previous good record and also his guilty plea. They do not feel that the challenge is frivolous, and therefore agree that the suspension remains as 2 matches as noted in the penalty notice. The player will receive the standard fine for this level of £500.

Suspension:

2 matches