Case Number:

ON/1216/23

Millen Downs #8, Bradford

Competition:

Womens Super League

Match:

Leigh Leopards v Bradford Bulls

Match Date:

2023-07-16

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 E

Sanctions:

4-6

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 20th July 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 01 12 50 footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you have punched your opponent on two occasions in the head. The Panel believe your actions were unnecessary, had the potential for 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 – Punching – sustained and, repeated or violent - makes contact with 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.

• Miss Downs was dismissed because of his actions.

• Following a tackle which Mr Downs is involved her opponent pushes her in the back from behind.

• Miss Downs then throws two punches to her opponent which contact the head.

• This cannot be a case of self-defence as the player has time to consider her actions when turning around to confront her opponent.

• 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 Lorraine Clayton (Team Manager). Player pleads Guilty to the charge.

LM explained that there had been altercations with the opponent throughout the match, however, the club do not condone the actions of MD.

MD talked through the incident and said that the opponent had been hitting out in tackles and looking to start altercations throughout the game. After she had played the ball she was pushed in the back by the opponent in question and reacted. It was a heat of the moment reaction and she apologises for it.

LM agreed that MD should not have retaliated. She had spoken separately to the Head Coach about the game and he confirmed that altercations had occurred throughout the game. She added that the WSL play less games that male equivalent and asked that be a factor when deciding the amount of games MD would be suspended for. MD would learn from this experience.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have listened to the submissions made form both the player and the Compliance Manager, and they have watched the footage several times.

The agree that the player was pushed by the opponent before retaliating with two punches to the head, and they note the player has accepted the charge and will be aware of the issues concerning head contact within the sport.

The Grade E charge in this matter is in the Tribunals opinion correct. Whilst they may have been problems caused by the opponent throughout the game the Tribunal feel that the player cannot take matters into her own hands.

As such – and taking into account the players record – the Tribunal feel a 4-match suspension is appropriate.

Suspension:

4 matches