Case Number:

ON/539/24

Sauaso Sue #8, Hull KR

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

Hull KR v Leigh Leopards

Match Date:

2024-04-13

Incident:

Late contact on passer

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 flexion to the head, neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.

Grade B

Sanctions:

1 Match Penalty Notice

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty but challenging the grading

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 15th April 2024, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(i) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 01 25 40 footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you have contacted your opponent after the ball has gone causing flexion to the head or neck. In the Panel’s opinion they believed your actions to be misconduct 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 B 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 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 a fine to a 1-Match suspension.

• Match Review Panel reviewed an incident in the above match.

• It is misconduct as soon as a player has contacted an opponent who does not have the ball.

• In this case Mr Sue, it is clear on the footage, has contacted the opponent Mr Amone after the ball has been released causing flexion to the head and neck of the opponent.

• The MRP apply the guidance note for late contacts on passers and kickers in this instance.

• The MRP opinion is that the following:

- Defending player approaches the tackle in an uncontrolled manner – e.g., enters the tackle at speed
- The defending player fails to moderate his behaviour
- The nature and type of the contact is unnecessary and/or avoidable
- Considerable flexion of head, neck or spinal column to opponent

• Therefore, the MRP are of the opinion that this is a reckless contact which carries a Grade ranging from B to D.

• Assessing all those factors present within this incident, the Match Review Panel are of the opinion that this necessitated a Grade B charge.

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

Chairman Neil Hudgell stated that initially they were going to plead not guilty but reading the framework any contact is misconduct and there was contact, hence the guilty please but suggested the incident should be at the lower end of Grade A as there was just 0.2 seconds between the player passing the ball and the defender making contact

The defendant added it was his job to get out of the line quickly to make the tackle, there was nothing malicious about the tackle, both players regained their feet and moved on without any issues.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The panel agreed that this is worthy of the description of reckless and it is worthy of the grade B assessment because this was a late tackle, the ball had gone and the approach was very quick. out of the defensive line
The panel appreciates that the player has to get up there and has to be quick about it but even so, this was coming very quickly out of the line. There wasn't any moderation although the panel appreciate there was limited time but the ball had gone and there was flexion to the neck and from the footage it can be seen that is more than next to nothing and the attacker is in a vulnerable position.

Suspension:

1 match