Case Number
ON/684/11
Name:James Feather
Club: Keighley
Shirt Number: 9
Match: Oldham v Keighley
Competition: Championship 1
Date: 24/07/11
Incident considered: High tackle in 68th minute
Decision:Charge
Details of Charge / Reason for NF
Rule: 15.1(b) Detail: When tackling or attempting to tackle makes contact with the head or neck of an opponent - reckless – whole body to go at – tackler in control) Grade: B MRP - Referred to tribunal.
Range of Recommended Sanctions in relation to Charged Grade*
1-2 matches
Date of Disciplinary Committee: 02/08/11
Evidence provided: DVD and Dismissal report-On field report
Decision On Charge: Player plea -Not guilty
Summary of CM's submissions on the Charge / evidence:
The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 68th minute of the Match. You were sent off following this incident. In the Panel’s opinion when attempting a tackle you made contact with the head of an Oldham player. The Panel believed that you had the full body of your opponent to aim at and that you used a swinging arm which made direct contact with your opponent’s head. The Panel deemed this contact to be reckless with the potential to cause your opponent injury. In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade B offence (When tackling or attempting to tackle makes contact with the head or neck of an opponent - reckless – whole body to go at – tackler in control). If found to have committed the offence, again in accordance with the On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the normal suspension range for such offence is from a 1 to a 2 match suspension. In addition the Tribunal has the power to impose such fine as it considers reasonable. I will not be requesting that Disciplinary Tribunal step outside of the Sentencing Guidelines. However the Tribunal may, in the light of any aggravating and mitigating factors they consider appropriate, impose a higher penalty. In presenting the Charge to the Tribunal, I intend to rely on a DVD recording of the Match.
Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:
Player admits that he left the floor in the incident but that he went to tackle with both arms coming round to make a grab tackle. The player actually makes contact his opponents chest. The player admits it is poor technique. The player was tired and it was careless. The player understands why the referee has sent off him off but that the referee was squarely behind him and that is how it may have appeared. No intent or malice towards the opponent.
Decision: Guilty
Reasons for Decision
The committee admit that the view from the DVD is unclear and do rely on the Match Officials Report in this instance. The committee believe that the reckless nature of this incident is that the player has left the ground and made contact with his opponents head and as such is guilty of misconduct.
Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction: No further submissions
Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction: Player has never appeared before the tribunal. The incident was totally out of character and the player admits this.
Aggravating Factors:
Mitigating Factors:
Reasons for Decision: The committee have noted the submissions made by player and his representative. Taking into account all the circumstances the committee feel that sending off is not sufficient punishment in this instance. The player will be fined £50 and a formal warning letter is to be recorded on his disciplinary record that he must address his tackling technique.
Suspension: N/A
Fine: £50
Warning: Warning Re: Technique
Just shows how much of a disadvantage we're at when Naughton is selected to ref our games!!!!!!!!!!
'Improve his tackling technique'? Shows how few of Buster's games they've watched!
