Case Number:

ON/1101/22

Ethan Lyne #17, Huddersfield

Competition:

Academy

Match:

Warrington Wolves Academy v Huddersfield Giants Academy

Match Date:

2022-06-18

Incident:

Dangerous Lift

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (d)

Dangerous Throw – Lifting player into a dangerous throw

Grade D

Fine:

£50

Sanctions:

3-5

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 23 June 2022, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(d) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 00:40:26 SharePoint Time of the above match after which you were sin binned. In the Panel’s opinion you lifted an opponent into a dangerous position, and they landed on their head/neck area. The Panel believe that your actions were unnecessary, against the spirit of the game and had the potential to injure your opponent.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade D offence (Dangerous Throw – Lifting Player into a dangerous position). The normal suspension range for such offence is a 3 to 5 Match Suspension.

• MRP reviewed an incident which took place in approx. 40th minute
• Mr Lyne was sin binned following the incident
• MRP were concerned at the manner in which Mr Lyne completes the tackle.
• Mr Lyne makes good initial contact with the opponent around the waist.
• Player extends legs from crouched to straight position.
• Opponent is twisted and his hips are above his head.
• The player can be seen to release the grip of the opponents legs.
• Opponent lands in a dangerous position. Opponent lands on his upper back and neck.
• Serious risk of injury, due to this dangerous action.
• MRP not suggestion this is an intentional or malicious act.
• This was extremely reckless and dangerous.

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

Player not in attendance, however, written submissions have been sent in via the club. Player pleads guilty.

Player also apologises unreservedly, accepts the possible outcomes from his actions and fully accepts responsibility. His intentions were never malicious but having watched the incident back with his coaches understands the capacity to cause serios injury.

The player has no previous disciplinary record which he hopes demonstrates he is not a reckless player. The action is out of character for the way he plays the game on a weekly basis.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

• Grade D due to:
- Unnecessary nature of the upwards lifting motion
- Attacker lands in a very dangerous position
- Potential for serious injury

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have listened and read the submissions from both sides and also watched the footage several times.

They feel that initial contact was good before the player lifted and twisted the opponent. There was a slight loss of contact before the opponent started to fall to the ground and the player effectively “caught up” and followed him to the ground which continued to exert force. He then also landed on top of the opponent.

The panel do not agree that the grading at Grade D is correct, in their opinion this incident should be re-graded at Grade E.

They take into account the players age, admittance of guilt and clean previous disciplinary record, however, this incident showed poor technique and resulted with the opponent landing on his head/neck.

The player is therefore suspended for 6 matches and fined £50.

Suspension:

6 matches