Case Number:

ON/1493/22

Aidan Sezer #7, Leeds

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Leeds Rhinos v Salford Red Devils

Match Date:

2022-08-07

Incident:

Trip

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Trips – Intentional Trip

Grade C

Sanctions:

2 Match Penalty Notice

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 8 August 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 24:39 SharePoint time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you intentionally tripped your opponent. 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 Trips – Intentional Trip

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

• MRP reviewed an incident which occurred in the Super League match between Leeds and Salford.
• The opponent Mr Cross takes the ball off the scrum with Mr Sezer as the opposing defender.
• The player can see that the opponent has stepped.
• Mr Sezer can be seen to move his leg out fully towards the opponent
• This contact the MRP submit catches the opponent around the knee area and takes the opponent down to the ground.
• The leg is outstretched unnaturally the MRP submit.
• Act is one of intentional nature as the player cannot affect an appropriate contact to stop opponent.
• There is no attempt to tackle legitimately as the player is in the wrong position to affect such a tackle.
• MRP submit this was intentional as Mr Sezer can clearly see the opponent and decides to act in this manner by lifting his leg to stop his opponent
• Duty of care owed to opponents as players do not expect to be tripped when playing the sport of Rugby League.

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

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

AS talked the panel through the incident. He explained he was trying to get off the line to put pressure on the opponent. He opponent stepped ahead of contact meaning he had a split second to react. His actions were a reaction and he was remorseful for the way the incident occurred.

RS also talked through the incident. He explained the opponent had a “high level” step and that AS by nature is an “on the ball tackler.” The opponent was running at speed and a late change of direction led to the incident. This was an accident and was not a deliberate or intentional trip.

The club then introduced a comparison clip (Gale – Hull v Warrington – Grade B) which they felt was very similar. They felt that the player in this instance had more time to tackle his opponent and that there was certainly less speed involved in the incident.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Grade C due to:
- Heavy and high contact takes player to ground.
- Clear intentional act.
- Leg fully stretched.
- No attempt to tackle legitimately.

Aggravating Factors:

02/03/20 – High Tackle – Grade A – 0 matches

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal were able to see the footage and the case was presented by the RFL as an intentional trip as the player left his leg outstretched. It was described as an unnatural manoeuvre and not part of a tackle. The RFL suggested that the player had taken his opponent high on the leg.

The Tribunal received submissions on behalf of the player that his opponent had executed good footwork at pace and that there was a significant change of direction.

The Tribunal agreed with the submissions made on behalf of the player. They felt this was a reactionary trip and therefore downgraded the offence to Grade B reactionary trip and suspended the player for 1-match.

Suspension:

1 match