Case Number:

ON/1495/19

Dale Bloomfield #5, Hunslet

Competition:

League 1

Match:

Keighley v Hunslet

Match Date:

2019-08-11

Incident:

Striking in the 80th minute (Parker)

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule – 15.1(a)
Detail – Other striking offences
Grade – D

Fine:

£75

Sanctions:

3-5

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty, but challenging the grading

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 15th 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 80th minute of the above Match. You were dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion, you threw punches towards your opponent in the head area and also headbutted your opponent (Parker). 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.

It is therefore intended for the charge to be considered by the Tribunal on 20th August. However, please bear in mind that pursuant to Operational Rule D2:19 the Operational Rules Tribunal have the discretion to hear the case on a different date if circumstances require it. For example, if there is a significantly large case load.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade D offence (Striking – Other Striking Offences). 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 not in attendance but represented by his Head Coach Gary Thornton.

The player accepts that he headbutted an opponent but did so after he thought he thought he was going to get headbutted first. He also accepts that punches were exchanged but that not all connected, indeed in the melee it appeared some of his own teammates were struck.

The incident came about following an earlier altercation that prompted the coming together of a lot of players. The players Head Coach informed the Tribunal that what happened was unacceptable.

Decision:

Guilty

Reasons for Decision:

Having listened to the submissions and watched the footage several times the Tribunal are of the opinion that the actions of the player were totally unnecessary.

The player runs from his position on the wing to become involved in a melee in the centre of the field and the panel feel he instigated the violence between himself and an opponent as they pulled away from the larger group of players.

The Tribunal agree that he was the only player to initiate a headbutt and coupled with the throwing of punched feel the grading of the charge is appropriate. They have bore in mind the actions of the opponent.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Player charged under RFL Rule 15.1(a) Striking – Other Striking Offences
• Incident occurred in the 80th minute of the match.
• Player was dismissed following incident
• Player runs in from a distance
• Player grabs opponent and strikes head to opponents head, with force
• Player delivers three punches to the head of a held opponent
• Mr Bloomfield makes direct contact to the head of opponents on at least four occasions.
• Graded D due to;
- Level of force used
- Makes direct contact with the head on four occasions
- No place for violence or thuggery within Rugby League
- Jeopardises the safety of opponent
- Incident not part of play
- Runs in necessarily from distance

Aggravating Factors:

05/07/2016 – Punching (Grade A, 1 match, £75)
13/08/2015 – Punching (Grade A, N/A)

Reasons for Decision:

The player is 31 years old and should know better than to become involved in such a situation.

The Tribunal note the player has two previous charges for striking and are concerned that he chose to get himself involved by running in from such a distance.

Whilst they appreciate the acceptance of guilt they still feel a suspension of 4 matches and a fine of £75 are appropriate.

Suspension:

4 matches