Jordan Rice #17, Mirfield

Competition:

Challenge Cup

Match:

Mirfield v Royal Navy

Match Date:

2025-01-18

Incident:

Questioning integrity of Match Official

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (g)

Questioning the integrity of a Match Official

Grade E

Sanctions:

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 27th January 2025, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(g) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 73 00 match time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you have questioned the integrity of the referee by calling him a cheating cunt. The Panel believe your actions were serious 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 E offence – Questioning the integrity of a Match Official

The normal suspension range for such offence is 4 matches plus.

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

• Mr Rice was dismissed because of his actions.

• The referees sin bin report stated that, “I had awarded a try for the navy and while I was walking To set up for the con Number 17 started to swear and shout at me I warned him to stop but he carried on so I gave him a yellow card and while he was walking off I heard him say that I was a cheating Cunt so I showed him a red card instead of the yellow.”

• Based on no footage being available at the time, the Match Review Panel have no reason to disbelieve the referees report.
• The Panel believed that Mr Rice’s actions were unnecessary, against the true spirit of the game and brings the game into disrepute.

• Under 1.2 of the On Field Sentencing Guidelines it states that the disciplinary system must support and protect Match Officials.

• Mr Rice’s standards have fallen below what is expected of a player and amount to Misconduct.

- Grade E due to:
? Demeaning foul and abusive term to describe referee then questioned his integrity.
? Language is of an aggressive nature.
? Brings sport into disrepute.

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

Player in attendance alongside Shaun Lunt (Head Coach) and Tom Coates (Team Manager). Player pleads guilty.

JR sent in a letter and fully accepted the charge. He takes complete responsibility for his actions and confirmed that there was no justification for the language he used and that he deeply regretted his actions.

SL also sent in a letter and confirmed the club take this kind of matter very seriously and emphasised that they full accept the charge.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The incident was an unfortunate one in what was a big day for the club.

The Tribunal take into account that the player has generally been on the right side of the disciplinary line and that he has played a lot of rugby over the years.

The player apologised after the game and also offered his apologise this evening.

The Tribunal therefore feel a suspension of four matches is appropriate.

Suspension:

4 matches