On-Field Disciplinary

The decision on whether a player should be charged with On-Field Misconduct is made by the Match Review Panel (the “Panel”).

The Panel is made up of the Compliance Manager (who provides the administrative support to the Panel) and up to 4 side members drawn from people with appropriate expertise (such as former players, referees and coaches). The current members of the Match Review Panel are detailed below.

Paul Cullen

A familiar face in the professional game for four decades, since he made his debut for Warrington, his hometown club for whom he would play throughout a 17-season career, with a total of 348 senior appearances. He then moved into coaching, initially with Whitehaven before returning to Warrington where he stayed for seven seasons, and then moving on to their local rivals Widnes. He joined the Match Review Panel in 2015 and is the current Chair of the MRP.

Paul Dixon

The only Yorkshireman on the panel, Paul Dixon won 15 Great Britain caps as a tough second-row, playing his usual unsung role in a famous victory over Australia at Wembley in 1990. From farming stock in the Pennines, he began his career with Huddersfield then had a brief spell at Oldham before making a major breakthrough at Halifax, with whom he won the Challenge Cup in 1987. He then gave excellent service to both Leeds and Bradford before ending his career with Sheffield Eagles in 1997 – and he is the longest-serving member of the Match Review Panel, having joined in 2011.

Nathan McAvoy

After starting his career with his local club Salford, McAvoy enjoyed his best years with Bradford when Bullmania was at its height in the early years of Super League, establishing an effective centre partnership with Scott Naylor. He scored a famous individual try in their Challenge Cup final victory over Leeds at Murrayfield in 2000, one of 52 tries in 97 appearances for the Bulls. He joined the Match Review Panel in 2016.

Phil Veivers

A Queenslander who originally came to England in 1984, joining St Helens at the same time as his compatriot Mal Meninga. Whereas Meninga only stayed for one season, Veivers has lived here ever since, and became a first-team fixture at full-back in a career which included Lancashire Cup and John Player Trophy triumphs. After retiring in 1996, he moved successfully into coaching, assisting Brian Noble during Bradford’s golden era, and Shaun McRae at Salford. He was head coach at both Salford and Workington Town and joined the Match Review Panel in 2017.

Steve Presley

Steve Presley spent ten seasons with Batley Bulldogs following his debut in 1976 and would go on to hold the record for the most consecutive appearances for the club with 116. Presley would enjoy a spell with Sheffield Eagles before retirement and a move into officiating. As a Match Official, Presley was a member of the original Super League Match Officials squad and officiated the 2000 Challenge Cup Final between Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos. The former player and referee was working with the RFL’s Match Officials department up until his retirement in 2020.

The Disciplinary Process

On-Field Disciplinary 2026

(0.26mb) | 13 Apr 2026, 12:23

On Field Compliance & Sentencing Guidelines

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Late Hits on Passer

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Head Contact Sanctioning

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Operational Rules Tribunal Chairs

HHJ John Thackray KC

HHJ Guy Kearl KC

HHJ Chris Batty

HHJ Sarah Wright

HHJ Roger Thomas KC

Sean Smith

Operational Rules Tribunal Side Members

Graeme Hallas

A member of the panel since 2014, Graeme enjoyed a 15-year professional career playing for Hull Kingston Rovers, Halifax, Hull FC, Hunslet, Keighley Cougars, Huddersfield Giants and York City Knights. Graeme was also selected for the 1992 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Jon Hamer

Jon played over 250 first team games for Bradford Northern & Bradford Bulls in a career which spanned over 20 years and saw him play in 1996 Challenge Cup Final. Jon is the current President of West Yorkshire Police RL. He joined the panel in 2012.

Neil Turley

Neil started his career as a junior with Wigan Warriors before moving to Leigh Centurions where he went on to make over 120 first team appearances which included playing in Super League in 2010. By the time he retired due to injury in 2006 he had scored over 1,500 points, including 132 tries. He also gained representative honours for England U21s and Lancashire. He became a panel member in 2014.

Andy Raleigh

After signing for Sheffield Eagles in 2004 Andy went on to make almost 250 first team appearances in a 10-year playing career which saw spells at Sheffield Eagles, Hull Kingston Rovers, Huddersfield Giants and Wakefield Trinity. He started for the Giants in the 2006 Challenge Cup Final against St Helens. Andy has been a panel member since 2016.

Wilf George

After starting his career at Huddersfield in the early 1980’s Wilf would go on to play almost 250 first team games in a career which saw him represent Widnes, Halifax and Batley. Primarily winger, Wilf went on to score over 100 career tries before retiring in 1992. He was part of the Halifax side that lifted the Challenge Cup in 1986 and following his retirement he took up Refereeing in the amateur game. Wilf has been a panel member since 1997.

Russ Bridge

A former Great Britain Student international Russ’ playing career saw him start out in the professional game with Fulham where he played over 100 games. He then had a spell at Wigan before moving on to Leigh for several years. Further spells followed at Swinton and Prescot before his retirement. He has been a panel member since 1996.

Danny Sculthorpe

A panel member since 2014, Danny started his career at Leeds Rhinos academy in 1996 before moving on to Warrington Wolves a couple of years later. After a brief spell at Rochdale Hornets he went on to play almost 150 first team games in Super League for Wigan Warriors, Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity and Huddersfield Giants. Danny gained representative honours for both England A and Lancashire.

Chris Chapman

Chris joined the panel in 2021 and has extensive experience of the game. A former Head Coach of the England Women’s team, he was also the Performance Youth Coach & National Development Lead Officer within the girl’s pathway and is currently the Learning Experience Manager at UK Coaching.

Gemma Walsh

Gemma retired in 2021 after a playing career which spanned over 20 years. She captained Wigan Warriors to the Women’s Super League title in 2018 before moving to rivals St Helens in 2020. Gemma was a pioneer of the women’s game and played for England in their first ever Test against France in 2007. She also represented her country in the 2008 and 2013 World Cups. Gemma joined the panel in 2021.

Alan Hunte

Alan retiring in 2003 after career which saw him play over 400 first team games in a long and distinguished career. After starting at Wakefield Trinity he then went on to have spells at St Helens – where he won the Challenge Cup in 1996 – Hull FC, Warrington Wolves and Salford. He was also capped by Great Britain 15 times which saw him play in the 1992 World Cup Final and also tour Australia and New Zealand. Alan joined the panel in 2021.

Rebecca Stevens

Rebecca is a criminal barrister with 23 years experience as well as a Great Britain Rugby League Lioness featuring for her country between 1998 and 2002. Rebecca also represented Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks and Wakefield Townville Panthers at domestic level.

Operational Rules Tribunal Process

The On Field Operational Rules Tribunal shall consist of three tribunal members, including a chairperson, all of whom are currently qualified judges. The role of the On Field Operational Rules Tribunal is to adjudicate upon and determine all matters of alleged On Field Misconduct which are referred to it by the Match Review Panel. The On Field Operational Rules Tribunal has the power to sanction, suspend, ban and/or fine, and apply Penalty Points to any Player found guilty of On Field Misconduct and when adjudicating, will take into consideration any matter of relevance, and in particular the nature of the offence and, when determining any sanction, any previous disciplinary record.

Super League Players whose conduct has been referred to the On Field Operational Rules Tribunal are dealt with at the next immediate meeting following the alleged offence, normally the Tuesday evening after the weekend round of Super League matches. Other Players whose conduct is referred during the 7 days prior to any meeting are normally dealt with on the second Tuesday following the alleged offence save in the case of Matches in the last round of the Championship Regular Season, the League 1 Regular Season, the Academy Regular Season and all Play Off Matches when the case will usually be heard by the On Field Operational Rules Tribunal on the Tuesday immediately following the alleged offence.

Suspensions and sanctions imposed by the On Field Operational Rules Tribunal are at the discretion of the Tribunal and shall be consistent with the On Field Sentencing Guidelines. The On Field Operational Rules Tribunal reaches decisions on any issue by a majority, and if the On Field Operational Rules Tribunal fails to reach a majority decision on any issue, the decision of the chairperson shall be final. The decision of the On Field Operational Rules Tribunal is handed down verbally on the evening of the hearing, stating the reasons upon which it is based, with a subsequent detailed written decision being produced for the benefit of the Player, Club and the RFL.

The Player or the RFL may appeal any decision of the On Field Operational Rules Tribunal on limited grounds and within 7 days of the original decision. This process and the expedited appeal route involving appeals that need to be heard within 24 hours of the original decision are set out in further detail at Sections D2:62 – D2:77 of the Operational Rules.