Case Number:

ON/0199/24

Sam Lisone #15, Leeds

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos

Match Date:

2024-02-22

Incident:

Head Contact

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (b)

Head Contact

Grade D

Fine:

£250

Sanctions:

3 Match Penalty Notice & £250

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 26th 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 29 27 footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you have contacted the opponent’s head. In the Panel’s opinion they believed your actions to be misconduct and 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 D offence – Head Contact.

The normal suspension range for such offence is from a 2 to a 3-Match suspension and a fine.

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

• The player was temporarily dismissed from the field of play.

• The referees report stated that “Leeds Rhinos are defending their own goal line and Sam Lisone runs across to make a tackle and comes over the top of the Hull KR players shoulder and catches him across the head, we penalise on field and the video referee has replays, we establish it as low-level force as the form of mitigation and sin bin on field.”

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

• For a contact to the head with low level of force, the entry grading the Match Review Panel submit is a Grade C 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 believe that the aggravating factors are sufficient to move this matter to a Grade D offence.

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

Player in attendance alongside Matt Cook (General Manager). Player pleads Guity but challenges the grading.

MC talked the panel through the footage. He explained that SL moved off his own try line and slipped as he did so. This caused a gap to appear between himself and the team mate next to him.

SL was trying to perform “ball & all tackle” due the proximity of the opponent to the try line. A tackle round the legs would not have prevented the opponent scoring.

SL then talked through the tackle. He said he was trying to get the opponent in a “bear hug” so he could tackle him and wrap up the ball in the same moment. This was a cover tackle as his opponent headed towards the try line. There was no aggression involved and no malice. He also felt he made contact with the opponents shoulder first, whilst the opponent was also dropping slightly lower before impact.

MC added that he also felt the opponent dipped and that SL was committed to the tackle. He felt that SL cannot change his heigh in this situation and the opponents missed “fend” also meant he lost height.

There was a low force used and contact to the head was minimal.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for their submissions.

Having listened to them both and watched footage of the incident several times they are of the opinion that there are no mitigating factors involved, whilst there are two aggravating names, namely points two and 6 from the Head Contact Framework.

The panel also believe there was no attempt to bend at the knees or waist by the player and that the grading of Grade D is correct for this charge.

The penalty notice is therefore upheld and the player will be suspended for 3 matches. There is also a fine of £250.

Suspension:

3 matches