Case Number:

ON/039/24

Liam Coe #6, West Bowling

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

Hammersmith Hill Hoists v West Bowling

Match Date:

2024-01-27

Incident:

Punching

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Striking - Punching– makes contact with the head of an opponent

Grade E

Sanctions:

3-5

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 1st February 2024, 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 23 35 time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion, you have punched your opponent in the head when they were in a vulnerable position.

In the Panel’s opinion your actions were serious misconduct, had the potential for injury and are against the 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 - sustained and/ or violent.

The normal suspension range for such offence is 3 to 5 matches.

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

• Mr Coe was dismissed because of his actions.

• Following a tackle on Mr Coe, the opponent regains his feet and is beginning to track across in the defensive line.

• Mr Coe on coming free from the tackle immediately runs towards the opponent and throws a punch at the opponent.

• This was a violent act on a vulnerable opponent with the potential for serious injury.

• Grade F due to:
- Violent, unnecessary actions.
- 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 represented by Dave Brook (Secretary). Player pleads guilty.

DB informed the panel that LC was not a violent person and was of good character.

In this incident he has reacted to a “squirrel grip” tackle where it was alleged his testicles were attacked by an opponent.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have listened to the submissions from both sides and watched footage of the incident.

This was a guilty plea to an incident that saw one punch thrown which caused a melee. It was a violent and unnecessary action with clear potential for injury to the head which is an area of concern for the game.

In addition, it brings the game into disrepute. In the circumstances, the normal range for suspension of a Grade E offence would be 3 to 5 matches and the panel give credit for the player’s guilty plea, therefore keeping the sanction to the lower end of the range.

The sanction is therefore a 3-match suspension.

Suspension:

3 matches