Rugby League

Rugby-League.com

Case Detail

Case Number:

ON/1827/22

Fui Fui Moi Moi #8, Rochdale Hornets

Competition:

League 1

Match:

Rochdale Hornets v Oldham

Match Date:

2022-09-10

Incident:

Punching

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Strikes – Punching - Reaction to opponent – lashing out – makes contact with opponent (but not Head of the opponent)

Grade C

Sanctions:

2 match penalty notice

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Not Guilty

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

Not Guilty

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 12th September 2022, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(a) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 1 26 40 Sharepoint time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you became involved in an incident and punched an opponent however did not make contact with the head. 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 C offence – Strikes - Punching - Reaction to opponent – lashing out – makes contact with opponent (but not Head of the opponent)

The normal suspension range for such offence is from 2 to 3 matches.

• Player charged under RFL Rule 15.1(a) Strikes – Punching – Reaction to opponent leashing out – but does not make contact with the head.
• The player was sin binned following the incident.
• Mr Moi Moi pulls his opponent out of a melee aggressively.
• The opponent can then be seen to throw a punch towards the player and connects with the head.
• Mr Moi Moi then throws a punch towards his opponent.
• Footage does not show point of contact.
• Touch Judge report states that punch does make minimal contact with the opponent.
• A melee ensues but the player does not throw any further punches.

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 12th September 2022, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(a) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 1 26 40 Sharepoint time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you became involved in an incident and punched an opponent however did not make contact with the head. 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 C offence – Strikes - Punching - Reaction to opponent – lashing out – makes contact with opponent (but not Head of the opponent)

The normal suspension range for such offence is from 2 to 3 matches.

• Player charged under RFL Rule 15.1(a) Strikes – Punching – Reaction to opponent leashing out – but does not make contact with the head.
• The player was sin binned following the incident.
• Mr Moi Moi pulls his opponent out of a melee aggressively.
• The opponent can then be seen to throw a punch towards the player and connects with the head.
• Mr Moi Moi then throws a punch towards his opponent.
• Footage does not show point of contact.
• Touch Judge report states that punch does make minimal contact with the opponent.
• A melee ensues but the player does not throw any further punches.

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

Player in attendance alongside Steve Kerr (CEO) and Gary Thornton (Head Coach). Player pleads Not Guilty.

Decision:

Charge reduced to a Caution

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal were made aware of some additional footage of the incident that the club were able to provide.

It was accepted by both the Tribunal and the Compliance Manager that the footage – which showed the incident from the reverse angle – showed that whilst the player did attempt to throw a punch it did not make contact with an opponent and did indeed get blocked by a teammate.

The Tribunal therefore feel the player should receive a Caution for his actions.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)