Case Number:

ON/1710/19

Misi Taulapapa #19, Newcastle

Competition:

League 1

Match:

Oldham v Newcastle

Match Date:

2019-10-06

Incident:

Bite in the 28th minute (Whittel)

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule – 15.1(i)
Detail – Behaves in any way contrary to the true spirit of the game – bite
Grade – F

Fine:

£75

Sanctions:

8+ or period suspension

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 14th October, 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 28th minute of the above Match. This incident was placed On Report. In the Panel’s opinion, during or after a tackle, you bit your opponent (Whittle) on the right forearm. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary, constitute serious misconduct and caused an injury to your opponent.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade F offence (Biting). In accordance with the On-Field Sentencing Guidelines, the normal suspension range for such offence is from an 8-match suspension to a period suspension.

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

Player not in attendance but represented over phone by Director of Rugby Denis Betts.

Mr Betts explained that he had spent all week with the player during which time he has shown considerable remorse for his actions. Player accepts his guilt and is embarrassed by his actions cannot explain why this happened.

He apologised to the opponent on the field of play and both he and the club accept there is no place in the game for this kind of conduct.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• MRP reviewed the footage, Match Officials reports and supports submitted by Oldham.
• Placed on report in the 28th minute
• Mr Taulapapa’s head is in the area of his opponent’s head as the tackle goes to ground.
• Mr Whittel submits the ‘locking onto my wrist with his teeth’ occurs in the wrestle on the ground.
• As the opponent regains his feet at marker there is an immediate and clear reaction from Mr Whittel.
• Mr Whittel reports the bite at the next break in play.
• Reports from the Onfield Match Officials and the Oldham Physio record an observation to teeth marks to the arm of Mr Whittel, a minute after the incident has occurred.
• Consistent reporting and footage surrounding the allegation.
• Grade F due to:
- No place in the game for such conduct
- Injury caused to opponent
- Jeopardises others safety with such an act of violence
- Unnecessary action

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Player accepts his guilt and cannot explain why he did this.

Having had a long career he is totally embarrassed by his actions and apologised immediately to his opponent.

Aggravating Factors:

04/04/19 – Uses offensive or obscene language (4 matches & £75)
14/05/18 – Other Tackling Offences (2 matches)
15/03/18 – Strikes – Head Butt (1 match)
08/06/16 – Strikes – Kicks opponent – light contact (1 match & £100)
26/05/16 – Dangerous Throw (2 matches)
22/05/12 – Punching (1 match)
04/10/11 – Punching (1 match & £300)

08/10/18 – Dangerous Throw (Caution)

11/03/18 – Head Butt (Dismissal)

Reasons for Decision:

This is an extremely serious offence and has no part in the game of Rugby League.

In this instance there was an injury caused to the opponent, but such actions of biting have the potential for greater serious injury.

In deciding the appropriate sanction the Tribunal have to take into account his previous disciplinary record which has other instances of violence.

In the players favour he has admitted his guilt, shown remorse and apologised to the opponent. He has a long-playing career and is obviously embarrassed by his actions.

Taking into account all the circumstances this Tribunal feel that an 8 match suspension and a £75 fine are appropriate.

Suspension:

8 matches