Case Number:

ON/1375/22

George Birch #17, London B

Competition:

Reserves Championship

Match:

London v Bradford

Match Date:

2022-07-23

Incident:

Punching

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Punching – sustained and repeated or violent – makes contact with the Head of the opponent.

Grade E

Fine:

£25

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 28 July 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 01 28 18. You were dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you threw a violent punch to an opponent who was not expecting it. 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 in breach of Law 15.1(a) – Punching – sustained and repeated or violent – makes contact with the Head of the opponent.

The normal suspension range for such offence is 4-8 matches.

• Match Review Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in the London Broncos v Bradford Reserves match.
• Player is dismissed following the incident.
• Mr Birch is involved in a confrontation/discussion with an opponent after a tackle.
• Opponent’s teammate walks over to the area where this occurs.
• Mr Birch then throws a violent punch to the head area to the opponents teammate who is not expecting such contact.
• The footage does not show any further punches connecting in this incident.
• There is the potential for serious injury.

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

Player in attendance alongside Dan Roberts (Assistant Coach). Player pleads guilty.

GB informed the panel that he knew he was in the wrong and admitted the charge. He explained that his side had defended several sets back-to-back and it was late in the game. He was exhausted, a fact highlighted by his late tackle of an opponent that led to the coming together of the players.

He was of good character and said he had apologised to both the opponent and the Head Coach of the opposition after the game. He had a previously clean disciplinary record but had reacted after receiving a verbal exchange from the opponent.

DR reiterated the comments made by GB and also felt that he should not have reacted as he did. He had spoken to the GB about his actions and GB had also apologised to the club.

He added this was the first time that GB had been charged and he was a good character.

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 that connects with the head area.
- There are not numerous punches thrown in this instance.
- Punch is one of a forceful nature.
- Unnecessary action.
- Opponent is off guard and not expecting such contact.
- Potential for serious injury as opponent cannot defend themselves.

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal are in no doubt that this was a serious incident in which a forceful punch to the head was committed by the player. As such they agree that the grading at Grade E is appropriate.

The panel were impressed with the way the club and his representative conducted themselves and note the apologies that had been given and the good character of the player. However, the do feel that exhaustion is not strong mitigation for the players actions.

Taking the above into account the Tribunal feel that the appropriate action is a 5-match suspension. The player will also be fined £25.

Suspension:

5 matches