Case Number:

ON/932/19

Harry Shackleton #7, Bradford

Competition:

Academy

Match:

Bradford v COHA

Match Date:

2019-06-08

Incident:

Dangerous Throw in the 48th minute (Cutsforth)

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

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

Fine:

£25

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 48th 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.

Due to the severity of the charge, the Panel cannot issue a Penalty Notice and as such the matter will be referred to the Operational Rules Tribunal for determination in accordance with section 3.4 of the On-Field Sentencing Guidelines.

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

Player accompanied by Assistant Coach Garreth Carvell. Player pleads guilty and accepts the tackle was wrong.

He was flat footed and concedes he did put the opponent into a dangerous position. He apologised to opponent and thankfully no serious injury caused to opponent.

Coach concedes it was a dangerous tackle but the saving grace for the coach is that he lets go of the opponent and does not drive him into the ground. It’s his own momentum that takes him on the top of the opponent. Coaching staff are working on players technique.

Decision:

Guilty plea

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 Shackleton completes this tackle.
• Temporarily dismissed in the 48th minute.
• Mr Shackleton grips the opponent low and with a two handed grip on the opponents thighs.
• Mr Shackleton goes on to apply an upwards lifting motion off the ground. Driving from the thigh from the low position.
• Attacker taken into very dangerous position – opponent’s hips are above his head.
• Attacker’s top of back and neck make forceful 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 hits ground
- Attacker is injured, but fortunately is able to resume play
- Player lifts opponent alone

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Good previous record. Has plead guilty and shown considerable remorse.

Reasons for Decision:

This Tribunal accept that this was not a malicious or intentional act.

However, it was reckless and had the potential for serious injury. The player has accepted his guilt, apologised to the opponent and shown considerable remorse. It is noted the player also has a good previous disciplinary record.

The tribunal feel they can go to the lower end of the grading and impose a 3 match suspension and a £25 fine.

Suspension:

3 matches