Case Number:

ON/378/23

Gil Dudson #17, Warrington

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves

Match Date:

2023-04-08

Incident:

Punching

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Punching – One on One – to the head of an opponent

Grade E

Fine:

£750

Sanctions:

4-6

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

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(a) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 1 32 13 Opta footage time of the above match. You were dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you have thrown a punch to an opponent who was on the ground which has connected with the head area of the 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 E offence – Strikes – Punching - Punching – One on one – to the head of an opponent.

The normal suspension range for such offence is 4 to 6 matches.

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

• Mr Dudson was dismissed because of his actions.

• Following a tackle which Mr Dudson is involved, the opponent Mr Johnstone is on the ground holding onto the shirt of the Mr Dudson.

• Mr Dudson’s teammate is also involved in the tackle, keeping the opponent on the ground.

• Mr Dudson then throws a punch with his right arm which connects to the head area of the opponent.

• Mr Johnstone is vulnerable as he is on the ground and not in a position to defend himself from the actions of Mr Dudson.

• This cannot be a case of self-defence as the player has initiated the confrontation.

• Grade E due to:
- Violent, unnecessary action to a vulnerable opponent.
- Potential for injury. 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 in attendance alongside Daryl Powell (Head Coach) & Kylie Leuluai (Head of Rugby Operations). Player pleads Guilty.

DP informed the Tribunal that the player and club completely accept that he is guilty. They felt there was some slight provocation with the opponent as he was holding on to GD’s shirt, however, it did not warrant the actions that followed.

The club will be working with GD to ensure that it does not happen again, and GD has apologised to both his teammates and coaching staff.

GD addressed the Tribunal and said that it was not a pre-determined action, and that it happened in the heat of the moment and was a massive over-reaction. There has never been any issue with the opponent previously and they had shaken hands after the game with GD also apologising.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Unprovoked assault on an opponent in a vulnerable position. Unsightly image for the sport.

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

The player has apologised. The player thought he was provoked but accepts he overreacted to the situation and is remorseful for his actions. The player accepts he does not have a good recent disciplinary record.

Aggravating Factors:

12/09/23 – Strikes with head – 3 matches
14/02/23 – Strikes – Punching – 3 matches
03/07/21 – Dangerous Contact – 1 match
10/05/21 – Dangerous Contact – 1 match

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal are in no doubt this was graded correctly, and this act needs eradicating from the sport. The Tribunal note Mr Dudson does have previous recent history of these type of violent acts and if it were not for the contrition in Mr Dudson’s apology and actions taken by his Club then the Tribunal would have imposed the highest sanction available under this Grade. Accordingly, the Tribunal believe that a 5 match suspension and a £750 fine is appropriate in this instance.

Suspension:

5 matches