Case Detail
Case Number:
ON/1218/19
Mickael Simon #15, Catalans
Competition:
Super League
Match:
Catalans v Warrington
Match Date:
2019-08-03
Incident:
Use of head in the 15th minute (Hill)
Decision:
Charge
Charge Detail:
Rule – 15.1(a)
Detail – Strikes - Head butt – makes light contact
Grade – A
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 5th August you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(a) during the above Match.
The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 15th minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion you promoted your head towards an opponent (Hill) making light contact. 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 A offence (Strikes -Head Butting – Makes light contact) The normal suspension range for such offence is from 0 match to 1 match suspension.
Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:
Player represented by Richard Cramer and Stuart Cummings with Head Coach Steve McNamara on SKYPE.
Player pleads Not Guilty to head butting. Player is subject to a high tackle by the opponent and both players go to the ground with the opponent on top of the tackled player.
Player is trying to get some momentum and get off the ground. He receives an elbow in the face from the opponent. The footage does not show any head contact and player maintains there was no deliberate contact between the heads of the two players whilst they were on the ground.
Decision:
Having viewed the footage carefully on numerous occasions and taken into account the submissions made by the players representatives this Tribunal feel that the player was trying to get some momentum to get up from the tackle by a heavy opponent who was on top of him.
He had been subject to a high tackle by the opponent and this Tribunal cannot see any deliberate contact with the opponent’s head that would warrant this charge. They therefore find the player Not Guilty.