In relation to each round of Super League matches (or Challenge Cup matches involving Super League teams), each match is reviewed in full by a member of the Panel to identify incidents which should be considered by the Panel. These incidents are then considered by the Panel on the Monday morning following that Round and the Panel decide what action should be taken in relation to the relevant player(s).

In relation to each round of Championship, League 1, or Challenge Cup matches solely involving Championship or League 1 teams, or Academy matches, the Panel meet on the Thursday following the Round in question and consider any incidents that have been reported by Match Officials or otherwise brought to the attention of the Panel. For the final week of the season and during the play-offs, all competitions are dealt with in accordance with the timetable usually in operation within Super League.

If a Club wishes to bring any incidents of alleged misconduct to the attention of the Panel they must notify the Compliance Manager by: (a) in the case of Super League Players, no later than 9am on the first working day after the incident; (b) in the case of Championship Players, no later than 12.00 noon on the Wednesday following the day on which the incident took place.

For the 2025 season and beyond, The RFL Board approved amended On-Field Sentencing Guidelines for the 2025 season...

Background & Detail: Following the regular regulatory meetings with clubs at all levels in May 2024, the RFL was charged with devising new sentencing guidelines that would focus more on the punishment of repeat or serious offenders in terms of match suspensions.

The new guidelines were discussed at the RFL’s Laws Committee and approved by the RFL Board in December, then sent to clubs before Christmas – and have now been amended as explained above.

The new system sees the introduction of a points-based system, with suspensions to be incurred when players reach certain points thresholds – rather than as the result of the grading of each individual offence, as previously.

Offences will still be graded – now in five categories from A-E, rather than six from A-F as previously – and the two most serious categories, D and E, will still incur an immediate suspension.

But the principle underlying the changes is to reduce the number of players being suspended for relatively minor offences, unless they are consistent offenders in which case they will accumulate points beyond suspension thresholds.

Points will be accumulated over a 12-month period – and all points will remain on players’ records for 12 months, with the additional amendment regarding the halving of a penalty when it leads to a sanction applied as explained above.

The reduction from six grades to five is the logical extension of a decision taken ahead of the 2024 season to increase the threshold at which players are charged. Throughout 2024, the Match Review Panel operated a policy of charging players only for offences that would have merited on-field action by the match officials such as a sin-bin or dismissal – and as a result, only 12 Grade A charges were issued across Betfred Super League, Championship, League One, Women’s Super League and the Men’s and Women’s Challenge Cups – as opposed to 213 Grade B charges, and 142 Grade C charges.

It means that Grade B offences from 2024 will be ranked as Grade A offences in the new points system, with Grade C becoming Grade B, Grade D becoming Grade C, Grade E becoming Grade D, and Grade F becoming Grade E.

Grade A offences carry a one-point penalty, with three points for Grade B offences, five for Grade C and 12 for Grade D. Grade E offences still result in an immediate referral to an Operational Rules Tribunal, with a tariff to begin at a six-match suspension – although the points penalty will be determined by the Tribunal.

Players would be fined for any Grade A, B or C offence that left them with 5 points or fewer. Any offence that takes their points tally to between 6-11 points would result in a one-match suspension, with an additional fine if they have 9-11 points.

Reaching 12 points – the penalty for a single Grade D offence – will result in a two-match suspension, with an additional fine for 15-17 points, and a three-match suspension kicking in at 18 points.

There will be a fine in addition to a three-match ban when players reach 21-23 points, with a four-match ban from 24-29 points (and an additional fine for 27-29), a five-match ban for 30-35, a six-match ban for 36-38, a seven-match ban for 39-41, and bans increasing by one match for every three points from then on – with an automatic fine for any offence resulting in a player having a tally of 33 points or more.

Appeals / Operational Rules Tribunal: Players and their clubs will still have the right of appeal against any charge to an Operational Rules Tribunal. But the rules around unreasonable and/or frivolous challenges have been toughened up, meaning that any unsuccessful challenge to a charge of Grades A-D will automatically incur five penalty points to the player’s record.

Impact of dismissal / injury: One further significant change to the guidelines for 2025 is to reflect punishments imposed during matches in any charges subsequently imposed – along the same principle as a punishment of “sending off sufficient” used to be imposed.

A player charged with on-field misconduct who has been dismissed in the first half of a match will receive two points fewer on their record than the stipulated penalty for the charge – so a player dismissed for a Grade D offence in the first half of a match would receive 10 penalty points rather than 12.

Dismissal in the second half would mean a one-point readjustment.

In the unlikely event that a player does not have enough points on their disciplinary should points be removed (for example where a player with no previous points is dismissed in the first half and charged with a Grade A offence), their disciplinary record will restart at zero disciplinary points.

However the principle of players suffering additional punishment for offences that remove opposition players from the match remains – if the victim of a foul is removed from the field of play and unable to return because of charged misconduct, the transgressor will receive an additional three points on their disciplinary record – so a Grade D charge would carry 15 points rather than 12.

Pre-season / Reserves: Specific to pre-season fixtures, players will be able to count up to two of these fixtures towards any suspension.

Reserves fixtures will also count towards a ban in the rare circumstances of them occurring on a weekend when a club does not have a senior fixture.

NEW SANCTIONING PROCESS IN FULL

The new system is that players are only sanctioned when they reach a set number of points. Therefore, if you were to be charged with On Field misconduct you would not instantly receive a sanction as is currently the case. Charge grades would be allocated points which players will accumulate and will be rescinded after a period, so they do not remain on your record.

Points allocation for each Charge Grade

The number of grades has been dropped to coincide with the change in policy of the sport to only charge incidents which would have merited some form of on field action by the match referee such as a sin bin or a dismissal. More points are given for grades which would be considered serious misconduct. 

Tariffs

Where players reach 24 points or more, they will automatically be referred to the Operational Rules Tribunal to determine the appropriate sanction which can range from match suspension (s), points allocation to a players record and/or monetary fines.

Similarly, where players commit a Grade E offence and are automatically referred to the Tribunal, the Operational Rules Tribunal are to determine the appropriate sanction which can range from match suspension(s), points allocation to a players record and/or monetary fines.

NB Fines for players in Womens Super League, Championship, League 1, Reserves, Academy and Scholarship will remain as set out in the 2024 On Field Sentencing Guidelines. Mens Super League fines are capped at £1,000.

Aggravating and mitigating factors – on field actions

Where an opponent is removed from the field of play and unable to return because of charged misconduct will constitute an additional 3 points being allocated to that player disciplinary record.

Where a player is charged with on field misconduct but has been dismissed in the first half will constitute a removal of 2 points from a player’s disciplinary record. Where a player is charged with on field misconduct but has been dismissed in the second half will constitute a removal of 1 point from a player’s disciplinary record. In the unlikely event that a player does not have enough points on their disciplinary should points be removed, for example where a player is charged with a Grade A offence (1 disciplinary point) but was dismissed in the first half (removal of 2 disciplinary points) and they have zero disciplinary points on their disciplinary record, their disciplinary record will restart at zero disciplinary points on their disciplinary record.

Unreasonable and/or frivolous challenge

Currently in a situation where the Operational Rules Tribunal unanimously finds that an offence was correctly graded and/or where no legitimate or valid arguments have been advanced by the player or Club on his behalf, it is likely to make a frivolous and/or unreasonable ruling and impose an additional match suspension on the player. Under the new system, should a player fail in respect of a challenge to a Grade A to D charge at an LEVEL Fine – Match Review Match Review Panel Fine – Operational Rules Tribunal Scholarship £0 £0 Championship Reserve/Academy £25 £25 Super League Reserve/Academy £25 £50 League 1 £40 £75 Championship £125 £250 Super League* 0.5% of Player’s salary 1% of Player’s salary Operational Rules Tribunal hearing, then 5 points will automatically be added to the points allocated to the initial charge of On Field misconduct and any resulting tariff imposed. For example, if a player receives a Grade A offence and is issued with 1 point on top of his current record of 0 points and decides to challenge the imposition of the Penalty Notice and fails in their challenge, then the player will receive an additional 5 points meaning they have 6 points and will receive a 1 Match suspension. The RFL feels that this is a reasonable and proportionate measure to deter Players and Clubs from advancing challenges in certain circumstances.

Offences not related to the act of playing the Sport

All matters which fall outside of what would be normal and expected elements of playing the sport of Rugby League will automatically be graded as a Grade E and will be referred to the Operational Rules Tribunal. These would include but are not limited to Unacceptable Language and/or Behaviour, punching, kicking, headbutting, biting, gouging, genital grabbing, unacceptable contact with a match official and other contrary behaviour. For such offences, tariffs would begin at a minimum of 6 matches plus.

Carry Forward Penalty Points

When a player serves a sanction – fine or suspension – half of the points that led to that sanction will be deducted. Where a player starts on 0 points and is charged with a Grade D offence with no deductions or additions, they would receive 12 points, meaning a two-match suspension. Once that suspension is served, their points total going forward would be halved to 6 points – with those 6 points remaining on their record for the 12 months following the charge being determined. Further examples are listed below...

Removal of points allocated

A player’s points would be removed 12 months after the date that the charge came into effect.

Education

In addition to any other sanction imposed by the Tribunal, where a Player is found guilty of Rule 15.1 (f) and such breach includes Unacceptable Behaviour and Language then the Tribunal must impose mandatory education on the Player provided that such offence is the Players first in such circumstances. For the avoidance of doubt such sanction of education shall not be issued instead of a fine and suspension but in addition to such other sanctions.