Case Number:

ON/735/22

Jacob Fairbank #13, Halifax

Competition:

Championship

Match:

Bradford Bulls v Halifax Panthers

Match Date:

2022-04-15

Incident:

Punching to Head

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (i)

Strikes Punching - Punching – sustained and, repeated or violent - makes contact with the Head of an opponent

Grade E

Fine:

£250

Sanctions:

4-8

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty, but challenge the grading

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 21 April 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 at 00:1;10 SharePoint time of the above match. You were dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion, whilst on the ground, you violently punched your opponent, contacting the head of 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 E offence (Strikes – Punching – sustained, repeated or violent – makes contact with the Head of an opponent). The normal suspension range for such offence is a 4 - 8 Match Suspension.

• Incident occurs in approximately the 1st minute
• Player is sent off following the incident
• Player tackles opponent and is on top of the opponent
• Player at this point keeps and elbow on the opponent’s head to hold him down
• Opponent pushes opponent to try and regain their feet
• Player then aims a violent punch which connects with the opponents head.
• Opponent is in a vulnerable position after being tackled
• Act is one of a violent nature
• MRP do not accept that player is lashing out in reaction to a punch by the opponent.

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

Player not in attendance but represented by Simon Grix (Head Coach). Player pleads Guilty but challenges the grading.

SG talked the panel through the incident. He explained that there had been an initial clash of heads between JF and his opponent and this resulted in lacerations for both.

They feel that the opponent punches/pushes his hand into the face of JF with his left arm. This contact causes JF’s head to move back. The club accept that JF then retaliates by lashing out at the opponent, however, the footage does not clearly show that there is proof of either contact to the head of either player.

The club also asked the panel to take into account that JF was dismissed form the field in the first minute and had therefore almost missed a full match.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Grade E due to:
- One punch thrown with violent intent
- Opponent is in a vulnerable position. Cannot defend themselves
- Potential for injury
- Intentional act
- Actions sit outside what is permitted within the Laws of the Game
- Incident brings the game into disrepute

Aggravating Factors:

20/01/22 – Dangerous Contact (Grade B – 1 match)
08/04/21 – Punching (Grade B – 1 match)
13/06/19 – Punching (Grade A – 0 matches)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both side for their submissions.

The panel accept that a clash of heads was likely to have caused the lacerations to both players.

However, the Tribunal are not satisfied that the opponent was lashing out in the sense envisaged by Sentencing Guidelines. He was in their view simply trying to get JF off him.

The opponent did make contact with the face of JF but what then followed was totally unacceptable. JF pinned the opponent with one hand and then drew back his fist and hit him as forcefully as he could with the other. The Tribunal are satisfied that JF did make contact with the head, given the opponent was pinned to the floor and unable to move. It is inconceivable he would have missed in any event.

The fact that this was so considered, deliberate and forceful to an opponent who was on the floor and defenceless does mean that this was in the panels view violent within the meaning of the guidelines and warrants a grading of Grade E.

Given the players previous record the Tribunal therefore suspend the player for 5 matches and he also fined £250.

Suspension:

5 matches