Case Number:

ON/599/23

Samuel Winney #10, London Broncos

Competition:

Academy

Match:

Bradford Bulls v London Broncos

Match Date:

2023-05-06

Incident:

Punching

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

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

Grade F

Fine:

£25

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 11th May 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 10 50 Sharepoint footage time of the above match. You were dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you have thrown punches to an opponent some of which connected to 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 – 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 Winney was dismissed following his actions.

• Following a confrontation with an opponent Mr Winney is punched by an opponent and responds by throwing 3 punches at his opponent with one connecting with the head the MRP submit.

• Mr Winney is then blindsided by a punch from an opponent but as he gets himself free responds with a punch to towards the opponent however it is unclear where the point of contact is.

• Mr Winney is again blindsided by a Bradford opponent and begins exchanging punches however the point of contact is unclear.

• At this stage the MRP submit that Mr Winney has a right to defend himself as different opponents are throwing punches in his direction.

• Grade F due to:
- Multiple punches thrown, with at least one connecting with the head area.
- Player is in self defence mode at times given he is confronted at different intervals by multiple opponents however the MRP submit several punches are thrown in a retaliatory manner.
- 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 in attendance alongside Chris Baxter (Head of Youth) and Kieran Robertson (Head Coach). Player pleads guilty.

CB accepts that SW threw punches, but the club explained he was doing this in self-defence. CB Talked the tribunal through the footage which he felt showed three opposing players confront SW throughout the course of the incident.

He felt that SW went into “self-defence mode” straight away and during the course of the melee SW was hit from behind. SW was sent off following the incident and this is totally out of character.

SW addressed the tribunal and explained he had n intent to start the fight. After a coming together between the two side she went into separate things after which he himself was punched. He apologised for his actions and agreed he had made the wrong choice. He said that this kind if behaviour would not happen again.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have watched the footage several times and listened to the submissions from both sides.

The Tribunal feel that the player only reacted after receiving a blow to the head from an opponent, which was soon followed by other blows aimed at him from a number of opponents. In the Tribunals opinion these actions are self-defence and as such they feel the charge should be amended to “Punching – self-defence - makes contact with Head of opponent”.

The grading will therefore be reduced to Grade C and the player will therefore be suspended for 2-matches and fined £25.

Suspension:

2 matches