Case Number:

ON/2000/26

Emre Guler #34, Wakefield

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Wakefield Trinity v Leigh Leopards

Match Date:

2026-09-18

Incident:

Punching

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Punching – makes contact with the head of an opponent

Grade E

Sanctions:

2 Match suspension & fine

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Not Guilty

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

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 21st September 2026, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(a) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approx. 01 25 27 footage time of the above match. In the Panels opinion you have punched your opponent in the head. 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 E offence – Punching– makes contact with the head of an opponent

The Penalty Points for such an offence is 17 Penalty Points. 18 Penalty Points for a Grade E offence and 1 Penalty Points removed as you were dismissed from the field of play in the second half.

• The Match Review Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in the above match where Mr Guler was dismissed from the field of play.
• The referees report stated the following:
Emre Guler was in possession of the ball when he was being tackled by a few Leigh players. Owen Trout entered the tackle. Emre Guler then punched Owen Trout with a clenched fist, and this made direct contact to the head of Trout.

• The Match Review Panel having reviewed footage available and state that Camera 6 shows Mr Guler with a clenched fist that then makes contact with the head of the opponent.
• The Match Review Panel were satisfied that this constituted a punch that made contact with the head and that Mr Guler was guilty of breach of Law 15.1 (a) of the On Field Sentencing Guidelines.

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

Player in attendance alongside Matt Ellis (Owner), and Ste Mills (Director of Rugby). Player pleads Not Guilty.

The club relied on a zoomed-in alternative angle of the incident, which they said showed EG’s hand opening before contact. ME accepted that the hand appeared clenched after contact but argued that punch would normally involve a fist being clenched one or two seconds beforehand, whereas this movement resembled a “hand-off or fend.”

ME also said he had sought the opponents view of the incident through making contact with Leigh’s management and understood that he did not regard the incident as a punch.

EG stated that his intention was to use an open hand fend to push the opponent away as he was being tackled by three players and attempting to get up quickly to play the ball. He added he had played more than 150 games at a high level and had never previously received a red card.

Decision:

Guilty

Reasons for Decision:

After reviewing the footage from multiple angles and weighing the evidence that had been presented, the Tribunal concluded that the contact was an intentional punch to the opponent’s head rather than an open palm fend.

The Tribunal found the footage clearly and unambiguously showed a punch to the face. The fist might not have been fully closed, but the panel reject the explanation that it was an open palm.

The panel note the opponents head moving back, the apparent closing of the fist and the arms follow-through as indicators of a punch. They also gave weight to the opponent’s immediate reaction during the incident, including his complaint to the Referee.

Due to the challenge being unsuccessful five additional penalty points are applied to the players charge. This brings it to a total of 22 penalty points which now results in a 3-match suspension and fine. The club will also lose the bond they lodged to bring the challenge.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Suspension:

3 matches