Case Number:

ON/778/19

Lewis Charnock #7, Barrow

Competition:

Championship

Match:

Barrow v Sheffield

Match Date:

2019-05-19

Incident:

Dangerous Contact in the 1st minute (Glover)

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule – 15.1(i)
Detail - Defender uses any part of his 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 – F

Fine:

£250

Sanctions:

8+ or period suspension

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 23rd May, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(f) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 1st minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion during making a tackle you applied unnecessary pressure to the limb of an opponent (Glover). The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary and had the potential to cause your opponent injury.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade F offence (Defender uses any part of his 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). In accordance with the On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the normal suspension range for such offence is 8 plus matches.

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

Player appeared in person with his coach Paul Crarey on the phone.

Player pleads guilty to Dangerous Contact offence and insists there was no intent to injure the opponent. Player states he has contacted injured opponent and apologised. He says there was no malice involved and player is full of remorse for the injury that was sustained to the opponent.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

The charge was graded at Grade F for the following reasons:
• Forceful, reckless contact is made to the lower limb of opponent
• Pressure applied through driving bodyweight through contact against joints natural range of movement
• Involves an unacceptable risk of injury to opponent
• No duty of care demonstrated towards opponent
• Aggravating factor severity of injury to opponent (9–12 month recovery period)

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Player accepts his guilt and has apologised to his opponent and shown considerable remorse. The club have instigated education on tackling techniques, whilst the player has a seven-year career with no previous disciplinary appearances.

Reasons for Decision:

The player has admitted an offence of dangerous contact in the first minute of this game.

The footage clearly shows the tackle which is commonly referred to as a ninja type tackle. This was a reckless tackle.

The player had both his feet off the ground and had no control of his body weight when he made contact with the opponents’ leg which resulted in a serious injury that will keep the player out of the game for 9 to 12 months.

The Tribunal have carefully looked at the grading at Grade F. This tribunal note that this player has admitted the offence, has shown considerable remorse and apologised to the opponent. He has no previous disciplinary record.

It is noted that the club have initiated some internal education on tackling techniques with the MRP This tribunal feel that a grading of Grade E is more appropriate for this matter and impose an 8 match suspension and a £250 fine.

Suspension:

8 matches