Case Number:

ON/195/23

Sam Wilson #18, Orrell St James

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

Orrell St James v Midlands Hurricanes

Match Date:

2023-03-11

Incident:

Punching and referee abuse

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

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

Grade F

Sanctions:

6+

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 16th March 2023, 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 40 25 (Second Half) SharePoint footage time of the above match. You were dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you have thrown multiple punches, some of which have connected with the head of your opponent. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary, had the potential to cause injury and are against the true spirit of the game.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade F offence – Strikes – Punching - Punching – sustained and, repeated or violent - makes contact with the Head of an opponent.

The normal suspension range for such offence is 6 matches plus.

• Match Review Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in the above match where Mr Wilson was dismissed following his actions.

• Following a challenge on his teammate Mr Wilson reacts and takes a hold of his opponent before throwing him to the ground.

• Mr Wilson then proceeds to take a hold of his opponent on the ground and throw multiple punches to the head area, of which the MRP submit a number connect.

• The opponent covers up and does not throw any punches in response which given the position he is in, there would arguably have been a case for self-defence.

• The MRP believe it to be an aggravating factor that despite the opponent not looking to engage and rather protect himself that Mr Wilson continued to throw punches until he was removed from the area.

• Grade F due to:
- Multiple punches thrown, with a number which connect with the head area.
- Not involved in initial incident. Time to consider what he is doing.
- Opponent does not throw any punches in response, but player continues to throw punches to an already vulnerable person.
- Potential for injury to the head. Area of concern for the game.
- Violent act which brings the sport into disrepute and portrays the game in a negative light.

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

Player not in attendance. Player pleads Guilty via e-mail from club.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have watched the footage and listened to the submissions from the Compliance Manager.

They are of the opinion that this was a serious act of violence which saw the player throw a number of punches to the head of an opponent who was defenceless.

The Tribunal note the guilty plea entered for the player via his club, however, they agree that the incident is graded correctly at Grade F.

The Tribunal have been made aware that the player received a 2-match penalty notice following an incident immediately after this one. As such they took that into account when deciding upon this case.

Taking all of the above into account the Tribunal find that the player should be suspended for 6-matches.

Suspension:

6 matches