Case Detail
Case Number:
ON/1678/24
Mary Coleman #12, Wigan
Competition:
Womens Super League
Match:
Wigan Warriors v York Valkyrie
Match Date:
2024-09-08
Incident:
Dangerous Contact
Decision:
Charge
Charge Detail:
Law 15.1 (i)
Dangerous Contact – Defender uses any part of their body forcefully to twist, bend or otherwise apply pressure to the limb or limbs of an opposing player in a way that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.
Grade C
Sanctions:
1 Match Penalty Notice
Decision On Charge
Player plea:
Not Guilty
Summary of CM's submissions on the Charge / evidence:
Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 12th September 2024, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(i) during the above match.
The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 01 05 11 footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you have applied pressure to the leg of your opponent. 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 C offence – Dangerous Contact – Defender uses any part of their body forcefully to twist, bend or otherwise apply pressure to the limb or limbs of an opposing player in a way that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.
The normal suspension range for such offence is from a 1 to a 2-Match suspension.
• MRP reviewed an incident which took place in the above match.
• The incident was placed on report by the referee.
• Miss Coleman can be seen to chase the opponent from marker position.
• The player gets a grip of the opponents clothing and immediately pushes her body towards the legs of the opponent.
• The opponent is stopped in a legitimate manner by Miss Coleman’s team mate which stops the momentum of the tackle.
• Miss Coleman’s body then lands on the leg of her opponent, apply pressure which is then exacerbated by the opponent being pushed over by the legitimate actions of Miss Coleman’s team mate.
• Player demonstrates no duty of care and there is the potential to cause injury. The player received treatment and was thankfully able to play on.
• Grade C due to:
- Reckless contact and unnecessary contact of bringing legs off the floor and propelling them towards opponent’s legs.
- Potential for injury.
Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:
Player in attendance alongside Denis Betts (Head Coach). Player pleads Not Guilty.
DB explained that the club felt there was no contact whatsoever from MC on her opponent.
The club had reviewed the footage with care and feel there was no pressure applied to the opponents supporting leg and that she was not injured and was able to carry on for the remainder of the game.
DB talked through the footage. He explained that the opponent was upright and not in a vulnerable position. MC does not drop to the ground; she falls and is dragged by the opponent. MC is on the ground with the opponent behind her, her teammates push the opponent back over the top of her. The panel cannot “assume” contact has been made.
MC informed the panel that DB had summed up the situation. There was no intent to cause any injury to the opponent and she had not made contact with the opponent’s leg. Her teammates pushed the opponent whilst she was on the floor.
Decision:
Not Guilty
Reasons for Decision:
The Tribunal thank both sides for the submissions.
After listening to the evidence and carefully watching the footage they are not satisfied that dangerous contact has occurred. Whilst the opponent does seem to be injured following the tackle the Tribunal cannot see how this could have occurred.
Therefore, the offence has not been established and the player is therefore found Not Guilty.