Taken from RFL site:Decision On Charge
Player plea:
Not Guilty
Summary of CM's submissions on the Charge / evidence:
Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 18th May 2023, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(i) during the above match.
The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 1 10 35 Sharepoint footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you have intentionally thrown the ball at the referee and contacted him. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary, had the potential to cause injury and are against the true spirit of the game.
In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade F offence – Intentional contact with a match official.
The normal suspension range for such offence is 6 matches plus.
• Match Review Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in the above match.
• Following a penalty try being awarded against Doncaster for the actions of Mr Ferres, the referee can be seen to walk through the rugby posts.
• Mr Ferres is to the right of the posts in a huddle with his teammates.
• Mr Ferres then walks to the ball, picks it up and throws the ball from approx. 20 metres away contacting the referee in the legs.
• There is no need for Mr Ferres to pick the ball up and throw it.
• The MRP submit that Mr Ferres picks the ball up, looks and aims the ball at the referee.
• There are no other persons on the field of play who Mr Ferres could be throwing the ball towards as he can clearly see in front of him.
• Mr Ferres does not acknowledge he has contacted the referee or offer any apology despite contact being clear and the referee turning around after contact is made with the ball.
• The MRP believe that Mr Ferres has acted in an intentional manner.
• Grade F due to:
- Clear intent to contact the referee with the ball.
- Potential for injury. Referee is not nor should expect any contact.
- Match Official unsighted and unable to evade contact.
- Player seemingly shows no remorse following his actions.
- Ethos of disciplinary system to support and protect Match Officials.
- Actions are contrary to the spirit of the game.
- Impact on the game on a whole because of such misconduct.
- Such incidents cannot be accepted or normalised within the sport.
Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:Player in attendance, alongside Carl Hall (CEO). Player pleads Not Guilty.
BF talked through the incident and said that the had just been involved in a decision which saw his side concede a “penalty” try, in which he was trying to stop the opponent score a try in what was a big game.
He explained that he was throwing the ball to where the conversion attempt was going to be taken from in front of the posts and did not realise that the ball had made contact with the Referee.
He added that he was an experienced player who in a 20-year career had played over 400 first grade games and he had always respected the Match Officials.
CH added that the first time he had become aware of the incident was when he received a phone call from the MRP Chair. Nothing had been mentioned after the game or in the time since the charge was handed out.
Decision:Not Guilty
Reasons for Decision:The Tribunal thank both sides for their submissions.
They are of the opinion that this is a serious charge and that the RFL have to prove it. The standard of proof is greater than a mere balance of probability but less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
In this instance the Tribunal take the view that edges towards the top of the scale rather than the bottom, and that has no doubt been critical in the majority verdict.
The Tribunal therefore find the player Not Guilty.
