Case Number:

ON/943/19

Jason Baitieri #24, Catalans

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Catalans v London

Match Date:

2019-06-15

Incident:

Dangerous Contact in the 36th minute (Fleming)

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 way that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to that player
Grade – C

Fine:

£50

Sanctions:

2 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 17th June you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(i) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 36th minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion during making a tackle you applied unnecessary pressure to the limb of an opponent (Fleming). 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 C offence (Dangerous Contact - 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 way that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to that player). The normal suspension range for such offence is from a 2 – 3 match suspension.

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

Hearing conducted via SKYPE with the player and Head Coach Steve McNamara. Player pleads not guilty.

Mr McNamara explains that this tackle occurred in a second and it was a fast tackle with no pause. The player makes contact around the opponent’s waist with his legs bent and he is moving sideways because of this so has to readjust. The players does not push off his legs and they are straight so he is unable to generate any power. His left leg makes contact with the ground and there is no push forward.

Team mate joins in the tackle and stops the tackled players momentum. Tackling players legs come round in momentum. Players knees are not tucked in (left leg at the back and right leg tucked into his body).

The player had no other options to complete the tackle. There was no malice involved and no intent to injure. It was accidental contact caused by the momentum of the tackled player who is suddenly prevented from moving forward by a team mate.

There is a comparable clip but not sure this should be considered when the player is pleading not guilty. In the Westward clip there is similar contact but there was a deliberate jumping off the ground from behind of the opponent and this was graded at a Grade C. This was accidental contact caused by the momentum of the tackle.

Decision:

Guilty

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have carefully listened to the submissions made on the players behalf and have viewed the footage on numerous occasions.

The initial contact with the opponent around his body was an acceptable technique. The forward movement of the tackled player does cause some momentum for the tackling player as he is in contact. He maintains his grip and his feet come naturally off the ground by virtue of this momentum. He did not tuck his knees under the opponent but he does clearly swing his knees and feet forward and this puts his body weight out of his control.

By maintaining this grip and the swinging movement which causes his loss of control of his legs puts the opponent at risk of injury. This tribunal feel the player is guilty.

Having viewed the comparable clip involving similar contact this tribunal are satisfied this comparable clip was a more serious incident and worthy of being graded at Grade C.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Player chases contact and adopts grip around the waist of opponent
• Player removes both feet off the ground
• Player promotes the knees forward resulting in bodyweight swinging around the around the back of opponent whilst maintaining grip.
• By taking such action the Player now has no control of bodyweight, whilst maintaining this grip.
• Player drops full bodyweight through the back of the opponent’s ankle/lower calf from players hip.
• Player has other options in which to safely complete the tackle.
• Grade C due to:
- Promotion of hip creates force and positioning of body to cause direct contact
- Player makes no reasonable adjustments to avoid this contact
- Contact is made with the lower limb of opponent
- Pressure applied through promoting bodyweight on opponent
- Causes injury to opponent which removes him from the field

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

No intent to injure no malice involved

Aggravating Factors:

09/05/16 – Dangerous Throw – Grade B (1 match)
27/02/17 –Contact with Match Official – Grade A (1match & £300)
12/03/18 – Dangerous Contact – Grade B (1 match)

Reasons for Decision:

This tribunal feel they can down grade this offence to a Grade B offence and impose a 1 match suspension and a £500 fine for an unsuccessful challenge.

Suspension:

1 match