Case Number:

ON/355/23

Morgan Knowles #13, St Helens

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Wigan Warriors v St Helens

Match Date:

2023-04-07

Incident:

Dangerous Contact

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (i)

Dangerous Contact - Defender uses any part of their body forcefully to twist, bend or otherwise apply pressure to the limb or limbs of an opposing player in a way that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.

Grade D

Fine:

£500

Sanctions:

Refer to Tribunal (Penalty Notice removed)

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 10th April 2023, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(i) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 1 45 53 Opta footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you have used your body to apply pressure to the leg of an 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 D offence – Dangerous Contact - Defender uses any part of their body forcefully to twist, bend or otherwise apply pressure to the limb or limbs of an opposing player in a way that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.

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

• Match Review Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in the above match.

• The opponent Mr Cooper can be seen to take a carry close to the try line and is contacted by several St Helens players including Mr Knowles.

• The opponent breaks through the initial contact with Mr Knowles who has a hold of his upper body.

• Mr Knowles initially whilst maintaining an upper body grip, keeps his feet on the ground and moves with the opponent.

• The player then takes both his feet off the ground and his body contacts the opponent Mr Cooper leg.

• The opponent is in a vulnerable position.

• Mr Knowles actions are of a reckless nature.

• Opponent leaves the field and cannot bear weight on his leg.

• Grade D due to:
- Highly reckless act of taking both feet off the ground.
- Significant weight of player going through opponent’s leg.
- Opponent is in a vulnerable position and can in no way mitigate for the actions of Mr Knowles.
- Player is solely responsible for his actions.
- A serious injury has occurred in this instance.

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

Player in attendance alongside Mike Rush (CEO) & Paul Wellens (Head Coach). Player pleads Guilty.

MR explained that the club were unsure if they were appealing the grading as this was the first time they had been involved in a hearing where medical evidence had been supplied, however, in his opinion the tackle was careless and not reckless.


MR believed that the footage showed that when MK puts his hands on the opponents shoulder his body twists, and this along with the contribution of two teammates was instrumental in adding momentum which caused the accident. Rugby League is a contact sport and accidents do happen, but in this instance the actions of MK were careless not reckless.

MK informed the Tribunal that there was never any intention to cause injury to the opponent. They are friends and he was gutted that his actions had resulted in an injury which could take 9-12 months before the opponent can be back in action.

Decision:

Challenging Grading

Reasons for Decision:

The Panel believed that this act was reckless and graded correctly at Grade D. The Panel do not believe that momentum was the reason Mr Knowles feet came off the ground, simply that he took his own feet off the ground causing a significant proportion of his body weight to then go through the leg of his opponent.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

The Match Review Panel have removed the Penalty Notice in this instance due to the opponent sustaining a serious long-term injury where he will be out of the sport for a minimum of 9 months. The Match Review Panel believe while this offence itself is correctly graded as a Grade D; the injury surmounts to the sanction being increased outside of the usual 3 matches Mr Knowles would have received if a Penalty Notice had been issued in this case.

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

The player says there was no intent to injure the opponent and is remorseful for his actions. The player states he has apologised to his opponent.

Aggravating Factors:

20/03/23 – Dangerous Contact – 1 match
26/09/22 – Dangerous Contact – 1 match
26/08/22 – High Tackle – 1 match
15/08/22 – Shoulder Charge – 1 match
18/07/22 – Dangerous Contact – 1 match
13/06/22 – Dangerous Contact – 0 matches
04/10/21 – High Tackle – 0 matches

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal are entirely satisfied that this was a reckless act. The matter has been referred to them as the Match Review Panel have withdrawn the Penalty Notice due to the injury sustained. The Tribunal agree that this has been graded correctly and these are exceptional circumstances. The Tribunal therefore determine that a 5-match suspension and a fine of £500 fine is appropriate instance.

Suspension:

5 matches