Case Number:

ON/1538/25

Franck Maria #24, Catalans

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Salford Red Devils v Catalans Dragons

Match Date:

2025-09-04

Incident:

Head Contact

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (b)

Head Contact

Grade E

Sanctions:

6+

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 8th September 2025, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(b) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 38 22 footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you have contacted your opponent in the head and neck. 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 – Head Contact

The starting suspension range for such an offence is 24 points plus (4 matches plus).

• Match Review Panel reviewed an incident in the above match.
• Mr Maria was dismissed following the incident.
• The MRP state that the footage clearly shows Mr Maria making contact with his shoulder to the head of his opponent Mr Waine.
• The incident led to the ball carrier leaving the field of play and not returning. Subsequent information confirms that the opponent failed his Head Injury Assessment.
• The Match Review Panel deemed this to be forceful and dangerous and that this was high level of force and danger. For a contact to the head with high level of force and danger, the entry grading is a Grade C charge.
• The Match Review Panel do not believe that there were any mitigating factors at play with regards this incident.
• The aggravating factors are:
- Tackler makes no definite attempt to change height to avoid the ball carrier’s head.
- The trajectory of the tackler’s shoulder/arm is always going towards the ball carrier’s head.
- Ball carrier fails HIA.
• In addition, the Match Review Panel do not believe that this was a legitimate tackle technique that was used by Mr Maria which increases the level of force going through the tackle.
• The Match Review Panel believe that this was on the top scale of high-level force and danger and the aggravating factors are sufficient to move this to a Grade E charge.

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

Player appeared but Joel Tomkins spoke on his behalf. Accepted charge but offered two mitigating factors.

Impact was greater due to speed of the opponent who was bringing the ball back from a kick-off. FM is taller than the opponent and the height difference was a contributing factor to where contact was made.

FM can be seen post tackle looking remorseful whilst other teammates were celebrating. He was and continues to be remorseful.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

ORT felt that the two mitigating factors referenced were insufficient to warrant any credit but they appreciate that FM was and is remorseful but this was a poor attempt at a tackle deserving of the sanction given.

5 matches (30 penalty points) and fine.

Suspension:

5 matches