Case Number:

ON 912/21

Luke Gale #7, Leeds

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Leeds v Warrington

Match Date:

2021-08-01

Incident:

Contact with referee in 25th minute

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Deliberate or reckless physical contact with a match official.

Fine:

£500

Sanctions:

B

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Contest grade

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 3rd August 2021, 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 25th minute of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion you made unnecessary and reckless contact with the referee in order to confront an opponent. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary had the potential to cause injury and against the spirit of the game.

Charge

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade B offence – Deliberate or reckless physical contact with a match official. The normal suspension range for such offence is from 1 to a 2 Match Suspension

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

Richard Agar – Admitted Luke Gale should not have made contact with the Match Official, the incident began with 4 players holding up a player for a try this resulted in multiple other players trying to look to see if a try had been scored. George Williams then aggressively shoves Luke Gale in a scrabble to see the try. This is the point a Melee would have been created. Luke Gale then reacts by trying to shove George Williams and this is where the contact with the Match Official Chris Kendal takes places. It was an insignificant contact to the Chris Kendal. Once Luke Gale realised it was George Williams they both laughed and walked away as they are friends. I do not believe that type of contact could have caused injury to the Referee.

Luke Gale –Luke agrees and seconds Richard Agar’s points. He does not agree it was highly reckless and aggressive as both him and George Williams walk away smiling. He agrees he should never touch a Match Official but does not think the punishment fits the crime. The way in which he puts his hands on the referee did not possess the ability to cause any injury to the Match Official.

Decision:

Downgraded to Grade A

Reasons for Decision:

It was not aggressive, it was clumsy and careless however the Match Official must be protected at all costs. Luke Gale has a duty of care to follow through with this. It was an unnecessary contact, George Williams pushes Luke Gale and Chris Kendal gets inbetween which resulted in Luke Gale making the contact. The Match Officials must be protected as a duty of care. This was not aggressive it was just clumsy and careless

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Suspension:

1 match