Rugby League

Rugby-League.com

Case Detail

Case Number:

ON/737/21

Zak Baker #20, Rochdale

Competition:

League 1

Match:

Rochdale Hornets vs London Skolars

Match Date:

2021-07-04

Incident:

Late hit on passer in the 44th minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (i)
Dangerous Contact - A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes excessive flexion to the head, neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.
Grade D

Fine:

£75

Sanctions:

3-5

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty, but challenging grading

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 8th July 2021, 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 44th minute of the above Match. You were sin binned following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you contact your opponent late and in an unnecessary manner. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary, had the potential to cause injury and against the spirit of the game.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade D offence – Dangerous Contact - A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes excessive flexion to the head, neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to that player. The normal suspension range for such offence is from 3 to a 5 Match Suspension.

The CM introduced a comparison clip (Wheeldon – Halifax v Sheffield – Grade D) which they felt was of a similar nature to the charge been heard.

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

Player represented by Steve Kerr (CEO) and Andy Mazey (Chairman). Club plead guilty but challenge the grading.

AM informed the panel that he felt the incident was not reckless. He explained that the tackle happened at speed and that the contact was a push. The player had no intent to cause any injury and he was trying to apply pressure to a “pivot” player.

He added the player is off good character with no previous disciplinary record.

SK explained the player was in motion and that is was hard to change at such a speed. The opponents turned his back just before impact and that the player had no time to change his direction of travel.

He felt that there was no whiplash injury caused to the opponent and that he had refused any treatment from the physio, indeed, he got up quickly and confronted the player in the aftermath.

The club then introduced a comparison clip (Maloney – Leeds v Catalans – Grade B) which they felt was of a similar nature.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Reasons for Decision:

An action is reckless if a person is or ought to be aware of an obvious risk that the result will follow but nonetheless acts where a reasonable person would not do so.

The Tribunal consider this as reckless and could even be described as highly reckless.

The Tribunal consider that the player owes a duty of care to an opponent who has released the ball and has his back to him

They consider that the offence is a Grade D offence because:
• Player makes contact as opponent is in a relaxed, unsighted, vulnerable position
• Player demonstrates no attempt to tackle opponent
• Player approaches at speed generating high force to the contact
• Opponent’s body demonstrates whiplash action
• Opponent lands forcefully

The Tribunal are therefore of the view that this is a Grade D offence.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Incident occurs in the 44th minute of the match
• Player is sin binned following the incident
• Player approaches opponent following a pass
• Player has an unobstructed view of opponent and the ball
• Player steps into contact following a pass
• Player does not makes reasonable adaptations after the opponent has released the ball indeed the Match Review Panel submit speeds up
• Player makes contact as opponent is in a relaxed, unsighted, vulnerable position
• Player demonstrates no attempt to tackle opponent
• Player approaches at speed generating high force to the contact
• Tucks arm to increase force
• Opponent’s body demonstrates whiplash action
• Opponent lands forcefully
• Grade D due to:
- Highly reckless contact as player sees the ball is offloaded and still proceeds into contact
- High force
- Unnecessary contact
- Involves an unacceptable risk of injury to opponent
- Lack of duty of care demonstrated towards opponent

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

The club feel that the player was not acting in a reckless manner. He has an exemplary disciplinary record and is of good character. They had entered a guilty plea and also add that it is a very difficult time for all players at the moment.

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal note that the player has no previous sanctions, has an exemplary record and is an excellent character.

He has also pleaded guilty to the charge and is still a young man. However, the Tribunal believe that this incident was of a highly reckless nature which had the potential to have caused a very serious injury.

They therefore feel the player should be suspended for 4 matches and fined £75.

Suspension:

4 matches