Case Number:

ON/994/22

Muizz Mustapha #8, Leeds

Competition:

Reserves Championship

Match:

Leeds v Warrington

Match Date:

2022-05-27

Incident:

Dangerous Throw

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (d)

Dangerous Throw – Spear Tackle - Driving player into ground on head or neck

Grade E

Fine:

£50

Sanctions:

4-8

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

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

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in the 60th minute of the above match after which you were sent off for following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you lifted and drove your opponent into the ground and the opponent landed on the head/neck area. 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 (Dangerous Throw – Driving player into the ground on head or neck). The normal suspension range for such offence is a 4 to 8 Match Suspension.

• MRP reviewed an incident which took place in approx. 60th minute.
• Mr Mustapha was dismissed following the incident.
• The footage shows the opponent take a carry off the ruck and be contacted by Mr Mustapha.
• Mr Mustapha can be seen to make good initial contact with his left shoulder and wraps his right arm around the opponents upper thigh and left arm on his back
• Mr Mustapha then drives sideways but proceeds to lift the opponent leg with his right arm
• The opponent is lifted and twisted in mid-air by the player
• Mr Mustapha then goes to ground with his opponent
• Mr Mustapha right arm seemingly comes off the leg however the rest of Mr Mustapha’s body is clearly in contact with the opponent.
• The opponent lands on his head and neck first upon contacting the ground.
• Opponent is completely vulnerable due to the actions of Mr Mustapha.
• Potential for serious injury

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

Player in attendance alongside Rohan Smith (Head Coach). Player pleads guilty but challenges the grading.

The club also feel that the charge should be amended to a “Dangerous Throw – Throwing player into the ground” and therefore become a Grade D offence. The club brought in a comparison clip (Porter & Parke – London Broncos v Warrington) which was charged at Grade D and was the same charge.

RS explained the club thought this was a throw rather than a drive in a similar way to that shown in the comparison clip. MM did not keep hold of his opponent throughout and released his grip before the player hit the floor. MM also apologised immediately and was also sent off following the incident.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Graded E due to;
- Vulnerability of the opponent.
- The highly dangerous action of the player.
- The potentially serious implications that a tackle of this nature may have. No mitigation that the opponent did not sustain an injury.
- Players have a duty of care to their opponent

Aggravating Factors:

13/06/19 – Dangerous Throw (Grade D – 4 matches)
19/07/18 – Dangerous Throw (Grade D – 3 matches)
10/08/17 – Strikes (Grade F – 8 matches)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both side for their submissions.

They are of the opinion that this was a highly dangerous tackle with potentially very serious consequences. There was a significant lifting of an opponent into a dangerous position, although the player did appear to let go of his opponent late in the tackle.

There was a release – albeit late – which the panel conclude defines this as a throw rather than a drive. The panel therefore come to the conclusion that this was a Grade D offence.

The Tribunal note that the player has three previous disciplinary matters recorded against him, with the latter two involving a Dangerous Throw. On behalf of the player it was submitted that the last offence was three years ago, he was sent off in the current match and has lost his chance to play Super League because of it.

Although it is some time since the last sanction it is concerning that there are two previous matters recorded against him. The panel acknowledge that the player immediately apologised, was sent off and host lost his chance of playing first team, however, bearing in mind the previous record they place this incident at the top end of the grading. The player will therefore be suspended for 5 matches and also be fined £50.

Suspension:

5 matches