Case Number:

ON/1029/24

Danny Craven #6, Oldham

Competition:

League One

Match:

Oldham v Hunslet

Match Date:

2024-06-30

Incident:

Match Official abuse

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (g)

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

Grade E

Fine:

£75

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 4th July 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 01 17 20 footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you abused the referee using foul and abusive language. The report is attached with the letter. The Panel believe your actions were serious 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 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.

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

• Mr Craven was sin binned because of his actions.

• The referees sin bin report stated that, “Hunslet score a try, after I award it Danny approaches me questioning my decision shouting in my face “your xxxxxxx pathetic, xxxxxxx shocking, pathetic” I asked Danny to leave the field for ten minutes immediately.”

• Based on the available footage the Match Review Panel have no reason to disbelieve both the referees and touch judge’s reports.
• The Panel believed that Mr Craven’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 Craven’s standards have fallen below what is expected of a player and amount to Misconduct.

- Grade E due to:
? Abuse has been personalised towards the referee
? Language is of an aggressive nature.
? Brings sport into disrepute.
? Breach of RESPECT Policy

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

Player in attendance alongside Mike Ford (MD). Player pleads guilty but challenges the grading.

MF that the grading of this level was too serious for the comments made by the player in this instance.

He agrees with the MRP that Referees should be protected, however, in this case DC did not question the integrity of the Referee, however, he admits to swearing at him.

The club feel that a Grade C would be more appropriate.

DC told the panel he did swear at the Referee following his side conceding a try. However, the following comment of “xxxxxxx pathetic” were aimed at himself and not the Referee.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal thank both sides for the submissions.

Given that the Referee is unable to attend the hearing and cannot give his version of events we accept what the player has had to say about the incident.

The panel have therefore come to the conclusion that the charge should be downgraded to Grade C. This means the player should be suspended for 1-match.

Following the original case being adjourned last week the club agreed to stand the player down for the following match. This match will therefore count towards the suspension so is effectively already served.

The player is also fined £75.

Suspension:

1 match