Case Detail
Case Number:
ON/1093/22
Kieron Dixon #38, Rochdale
Competition:
League 1
Match:
Swinton v Rochdale
Match Date:
2022-06-12
Incident:
Homophobic Abuse at 00:21:50 SharePoint time
Decision:
Charge
Charge Detail:
Verbal abuse based on race, colour, religion, gender, sexual preference, disability, national or ethnic origin or any other form of Unacceptable Behaviour or Language
Grade F
Sanctions:
8+
Decision On Charge
Player plea:
Not Guilty
Summary of CM's submissions on the Charge / evidence:
Further to correspondence sent via a letter of 22nd June 2022 an independent Investigator was despatched further to an On Field Report received in the above match where it is alleged that you called Jayden Hatton “a fucking fagâ€. Further to the report received from the Investigator, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(f) Verbal abuse based on race, colour, religion, gender, sexual preference, disability, national or ethnic origin or any other form of Unacceptable Behaviour or Language during the above match.
In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade F offence in breach of Law 15.1(f) Verbal abuse based on race, colour, religion, gender, sexual preference, disability, national or ethnic origin or any other form of Unacceptable Behaviour or Language.
The normal suspension range for such offence is 8 plus matches.
Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:
Player in attendance alongside Chris Chester (Leigh Head of Rugby) and Steve Kerr (Rochdale CEO). Player pleads Not Guilty.
KD informed the panel he was shocked when he learned of the allegations that were made. He agreed that words had been exchanged with the opponent in the tackle which included the phrase “stupid fuck†but he did not say the words that had been alleged. The allegations had been very damaging to him and it had been a long time getting to this stage of proceedings. He stressed he had not made make the alleged comment.
CC explained that he had known KD for eight years and these kind of words are not ones he would ever use. The allegations made are very serious and this has had a real effect on him, not only within the game but in the outside world. There was no substantive evidence and there were four players in close vicinity of the tackle and none of them heard anything. He and the player vehemently deny the charge.
SK added that KD was an impressive character and was certainly not one to use derogatory language such as this. There is no evidence following the investigators report which suggest that the alleged comments were made.
Decision:
Not Guilty
Reasons for Decision:
The Tribunal thank both sides for the submissions.
They have reviewed the footage and listened carefully to the evidence and submissions been made.
They have to be reasonably satisfied the charge is made out. The standard of proof is greater than balance of probabilities but less than proof beyond reasonable doubt with due regard being given to the seriousness of the allegation. Obviously this is a very serious allegation indeed.
Taking to account all the above the panel have come to the conclusion that the opponent genuinely believed that these words were said at the time and this is not a malicious allegation on his part, however, there is no other evidence and no one else heard the alleged words despite the close proximity of other players from both sides, despite the fact these words were said to have been used twice.
In could be that the opponent is mistaken in what he heard given everything else that was going on in the tackle, and therefore in all the circumstances and having considered all the facts the panel cannot be reasonably satisfied that this charge is made out. The charge is therefore dismissed.