Case Number:

ON/049/24

Jonathan Smith #27, North Wales Crusaders

Competition:

1895 Cup

Match:

North Wales Crusaders v Swinton Lions

Match Date:

2024-01-28

Incident:

Dissent

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (g)

Disputes using any foul and abusive or aggressive language and/or body language

Grade E

Fine:

£112.50

Sanctions:

3-5

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Not 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(g) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 30 00 footage time of the above match. The referees report states the following, After Swinton had scored a try, SMITH turned around and started to shout in anger something about the play the ball directly to me. My reply to him was "YOUR TOO SLOW" as my response to why the try was scored, I awarded the try and walked away. SMITH joined his fellow teammates behind the posts while the Swinton player started to walk over to kick the conversion. It was at this point SMITH shouted "W*****" at me from the group. This was in front of other players and unacceptable considering now that my actions would now set the tone for respect for all referees. I dismissed SMITH immediately from the field of play because I had no doubt that SMITH had stated this to me and this sort of behaviour by on field players towards match officials is not in the spirit of the game”.

In the Panel’s opinion your actions were serious misconduct 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 – Disputes using any foul and abusive or aggressive language and/or body language.

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

• The Match Review Panel were concerned at the behaviour of Mr Smith.

• Mr Smith was red carded following the incident.

• The referee’s report states the following:

After Swinton had scored a try, SMITH turned around and started to shout in anger something about the play the ball directly to me. My reply to him was "YOUR TOO SLOW" as my response to why the try was scored, I awarded the try and walked away. SMITH joined his fellow teammates behind the posts while the Swinton player started to walk over to kick the conversion. It was at this point SMITH shouted "W*****" at me from the group. This was in front of other players and unacceptable considering now that my actions would now set the tone for respect for all referees. I dismissed SMITH immediately from the field of play because I had no doubt that SMITH had stated this to me and this sort of behaviour by on field players towards match officials is not in the spirit of the game.

• The Match Review Panel see no reason to disbelieve the referee.

• The footage supports that there is clear interaction between both Mr Smith and the referee, and this is initiated by the player.

• Mr Smith despite a break between dialogue with the referee, then makes an offensive remark towards the referee.

• The referee clearly hears this and sends him from the field of play.

• The Panel believed that Mr Smith’s actions were unnecessary, against the true spirit of the game and brings the game into disrepute.

• Under 1.2 of the On Field Sentencing Guidelines it states that the disciplinary system must support and protect Match Officials.

• Mr Smith’s standards have fallen below what is expected of a player and amount to Misconduct.

- Grade E due to:
? Demeaning foul and abusive term to describe referee.
? Language is of an aggressive nature.
? Brings sport into disrepute.

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

Player in attendance, alongside Andy Moulsdale (CEO). Player pleads Not Guilty.

AM explained that the Referee Report states that JS had called him a “w*****” and that the footage shows that the Referee only reacted following the Touch Judge informing him. The action of dismissing JS then followed.

The club felt the Referee’s attitude to JS was poor and he was laughing at him following an interaction between the two following a try by the opposition. The club feel that the Referee antagonised JS.

JS talked through the incident. He explained that the Referee had impeded him as he was defending close to the try line. He said the Referee had called him “fat and lazy” and this was both disrespectful and rude.

He admitted saying “he’s a w*****” but this was when he was stood with his teammates following the try.

Decision:

Guilty

Reasons for Decision:

The panel reviewed an incident and considered a report by the Referee in which it was suggested the player had shouted the words “w*****” at the Referee.

The penalty for using any Foul and Abusive or Aggressive Language is normally in range between 3 to 5 matches. Due to the severity of the charge, the panel cannot issue a penalty notice hence the referral to the tribunal.

It was raised at the outset, that one of the statements submitted to the Tribunal by club on behalf of the player (his own teammate) confirmed that the player said the words “he is a w***** him” about the Referee.

It was submitted that the player felt that these words were not said to the Referee, but in company of his teammates. The player pleaded not guilty.

The Tribunal considered the report of the Referee (who had made himself available for the allotted time but was in fact on duty as a serving Police man). Unfortunately, the player could not join due to technical difficulties at the allotted time and this hearing was delayed such that the Referee was no longer available to give evidence.

Having seen the footage, reviewed the written reports and heard representation by the player, it was felt that this was a clear breach of the rules, and that this language, the Tribunal felt, was clearly directed towards the Referee.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

This matter was contested, the Tribunal heard about the player’s previous disciplinary record, which was not impressive, and in all of the circumstances felt that the only way that this could be dealt with was by way of a 5-match suspension and a fine of £112.50.

Suspension:

5 matches