Case Number:

ON/929/19

Muizz Mustapha #10, Leeds

Competition:

Academy

Match:

Wigan v Leeds

Match Date:

2019-06-08

Incident:

Dangerous Throw in the 69th minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule – 15.1(d)
Detail – Lifting player into dangerous position
Grade – D

Fine:

£50

Sanctions:

3-5

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 13th June, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(d) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 69th minute of the above Match. You were temporarily dismissed following this incident. In the Panel’s opinion, in completing a tackle on your opponent, you lifted your opponent into a dangerous position. 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 D offence (Dangerous Throw - Lifting player into dangerous position). In accordance with the On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the normal suspension range for such offence is 3 to 5 matches.

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

Player in attendance and accompanied by Head Coach Rob Burrow.

Player accepts his guilt and apologised to opponent and concedes this was a bad tackle. There was no intent to injure.

Coach pointed out this players physical statue against players of his same age group can sometimes cause problems as he goes in low.

Coaching staff are working with the player on his technique. No malice and player has shown considerable remorse.

Decision:

Guilty

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• MRP were concerned at the manner in which Mr Mustapha completes this tackle.
• Temporarily dismissed in the 69th minute.
• Mr Mustapha grips the opponent around the back of the thighs and with a two handed grip to the opponent’s thighs.
• Player begins to destabilise opponent – but player continues to lift unnecessarily.
• Mr Mustapha then goes on to apply an upwards lifting motion off the ground. Driving from the thigh from a low position.
• Attacker taken into a dangerous position – opponent’s hips are above his head.
• Attacker’s top of back and neck make contact with the ground.
• Serious risk of injury, due to this dangerous action.
• MRP not suggestion this is an intentional or malicious act.
• This was extremely reckless and dangerous.
• Grade D due to:
- Unnecessary nature of the upwards lifting motion
- Attacker placed in very dangerous position
- Attacker’s neck and top of back makes contact with the ground
- Attacker is injured, but fortunately is able to resume play

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Accepts his guilt, has shown remorse and no serious injury caused.

Aggravating Factors:

10/08/17 – Striking -Grade F – (8 matches & £50 fine)
19/07/18 – Dangerous Contact – Grade D (3 matches & £50 fine)

Reasons for Decision:

This is not the worst tackle of this type this tribunal have seen.

The tribunal have listened to the submissions made by the player and his coach. The coaching staff have identified a problem and are working with the player on his tackling technique.

This is graded at Grade D and this is accepted. The player accepts his guilt, has shown considerable remorse.

However, the tribunal note the player has a previous appearance for a similar offence in 2018 and therefore an impose a 4 match suspension and £50 fine.

Suspension:

4 matches