Case Number:

ON/0175/24

Michael McIlorum #9, Catalans Dragons

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves

Match Date:

2024-02-17

Incident:

Head Contact

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (b)

Head Contact

Grade E

Fine:

£750

Sanctions:

3-5

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty but challenge the grading

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 19th February 2024, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(b) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 01 01 23 footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you have contacted the head of your opponent. In the Panel’s opinion this is serious misconduct, has the potential for serious injury and is 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 – Head Contact

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

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

• The player was dismissed from the field of play.

• The referees report stated that “Joe Philbin was in possession of the ball when Michael McIlorum made high level forceful/dangerous contact to the head of Philbin with his shoulder. The contact was direct and there were no mitigating factors.”

• The MRP in viewing the footage see no reason to disagree with this position.

• For a contact to the head with high level of force, the entry grading the Match Review Panel submit is a Grade E charge.

• As stated, the MRP agree with the referee’s position that there were no mitigating factors present within this incident.

• The aggravating factors are:

- Tackler makes no definite attempt to change height in an effort to avoid the ball carrier’s head.
- The trajectory of the tackler’s shoulder/arm is always going towards the ball carrier’s head.

• The Match Review Panel however do not believe that the aggravating factors are sufficient to move this matter to a Grade F offence and that this incident is worthy of a Grade E charge.

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

Player in attendance alongside Steve McNamara (Head Coach). Player pleads guilty but challenges the grading.

SM explained that the club respected the policy reading Head Contact, however, in this instance the charge should not be graded at Grade E.

SM talked through the incident in which it saw MM involved in a high-speed tackle straight from a kick-off. The poor technique of a teammate contributed to how the tackle ended, whilst the ball-carrier spins on initial contact and his height is therefore reduced when MM becomes involved.

The club felt that MM could not have changed his height and the speed involved from both MM and the opponent contributed to how it ended. Mm was sent off and therefore missed almost 40 minutes of the game and he has shown remorse. The opposing player returned to the field and the club feel that the contact was accidental.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Aggravating Factors:

25/09/23 – Dangerous Contact (Grade A – £250)
24/04/23 – Trips – intentional trip (Grade B – 1 match)
22/08/22 – Dangerous Contact (Grade A – 1 match)
04/07/22 – High Tackle (Grade C – 3 matches)
28/02/22 – High Tackle (Grade A – 1 match)

Reasons for Decision:

It seems to the panel that this is a Grade E starting point as there is forceful and Dangerous Contact been explained to us.

There is no mitigation here. In order to have mitigation within the framework two factors would need to be present, the first and most important is that the tackling player has reduced their height by either bending at the waist or the knee. This would mean that he would be in a position to make a safe and legal tackle.

However, the next factor is that the opponent has either changed direction or height suddenly. The effect of this is that the player would have made a legal tackle but for the actions of the opponent and therefore this is obvious mitigation.

The reason for the change in laws and guidance is so that players reduce the height at which they tackle and therefore make contact with their opponent so that there is much less chance of hitting the neck or head.

In this case Mr McIlorum did not change his height and as such there was always a likelihood that contact would be made with the head. The speed of the incident and the change of direction are irrelevant if the player comes to the tackle at the wrong height.

The Tribunal think that this has to be a Grade E offence (range from 3 to 5 matches).

Given the players record and the presence of the aggravating factors that could take it to the top of the range, however, credit is given for the guilty plea. This therefore means a suspension of 4 matches. There will also be a fine of £750 as it is 1.5 times the standard SL fine for a Grade E offence.

Suspension:

4 matches