Case Number:

ON/1450/22

Tyla Hepi #31, Featherstone

Competition:

Championship

Match:

Featherstone Rovers v Leigh Centurions

Match Date:

2022-07-30

Incident:

Punching

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Strikes – Punching – Reaction to opponent – lashing out – makes contact with head of opponent

Grade D

Fine:

£250

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 4 August 2022, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(a) Other Striking Offences during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 00:39:08 SharePoint time of the above match. You were dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you became involved in an incident and punched an opponent during a match. 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 D offence in breach of Law 15.1(a) – Punching/Other Striking Offences – Reaction to opponent – Lashing out – Makes contact with head of opponent

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

• Match Review Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in the Championship match between Featherstone and Leigh.
• Mr Hepi was dismissed following the incident.
• Upon completion of the tackle, Mr Hepi stands on the opponent’s hand for which he was charged with On Field misconduct.
• The opponent then reacts with an open-handed push to the opponent.
• Me Hepi then connects with a punch to the head which staggers the opponent backwards.
• As a melee ensues the opponent comes back in and strikes Mr Hepi in the head.
• The incident results in a further melee however footage does not show any further punches thrown.
• Actions have the potential for injury.

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

Player in attendance alongside Brian McDermott (Head Coach). Player pleads guilty to the charge.

BM explained that TH reacted after been hit by his opponent. TH admits throwing the first punch, however, in the resulting melee he was repeatedly punched by some opponents and blows rained down on him during that period. They feel TH should only be punished as much as the opponent. In the melee TH “covers up” and does not want to get involved.

TH added that he was trying to get away from the play-the-ball and had retaliated over been struck by the opponent. In the melee he suffered several whacks including one to the back of the head.

BM added that TH suffered a cut lip following the strike from the opponent. This may have been from an open hand, however, the opponent was a big bloke.

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 one of a forceful nature.

Aggravating Factors:

21/03/22 – Strikes with knee – Caution
26/04/21 – Dangerous Contact – Grade C – 2 matches)
19/10/21 – Other Contrary Behaviour – Grade B – 1 match)

Reasons for Decision:

The MRP reviewed an incident in which the player punched an opponent to the head. They believed this to be a Grade D offence ordinarily carrying 3 to 5 match suspension. Given the nature of the matter the panel had no option but to refer the incident to the Tribunal for a decision.

It was clear to the Tribunal having viewed the footage of this matter that the incident begins when this player stands on the opposing players hand at the conclusion of a tackle.

Next, the opposing player pushes or slaps the player to the face. This causes the player to retaliate by punching the opposing player to the head causing him to stagger backwards.

In those circumstances, this being a single punch to the head coupled with a guilty plea, the Tribunal felt that this matter could be dealt with by way of a 3-match suspension and a fine of £250.

Suspension:

3 matches