Alleged “testicle squeeze” on Leeds Rhinos star not punished by disciplinary panel

Ireland’s defeat to Lebanon was a frustrating one and one were tempers flared frequently.

The two teams were cited a total of eight times by the disciplinary panel whilst Liam Byrne of Ireland was banned twice – each for one game – for two instances of “dangerous contact” whilst he was cautioned for “contrary behaviour.”

The game was a fiery affair between two teams who clearly had something very big up for grabs and weren’t prepared to be bullied out of it with a quarter-final spot awaiting the victor against Australia.

It was a game that Lebanon dominated but another where indiscipline also did with Ireland being penalised 11 times during the contest which proved costly.

However, early in the game Leeds Rhinos star James Bentley believed that a Lebanon player should have been punished for an alleged “testicle squeeze.”

After the incident, Bentley got up and, according to Fox League, repeated “he grabbed my balls.”

As is the job of the disciplinary panel, they looked into the incident with the alleged culprit being Lebanon prop Kayne Kalache.

However, no further action will be taken after footage was deemed “inconclusive.”

The panel said in their minutes: “Footage inconclusive. Player appears to push off opponent to regain feet. Contact accidental.”

The following players did receive bans:

· Tui Kamikamica (Fiji): Grade A Dangerous Contact, 1 Match Penalty Notice

· Liam Byrne (Ireland): Grade A Dangerous Contact, 1 Match Penalty Notice

· Jaimin Jolliffe (Ireland): Grade A High tackle, 1 Match Penalty Notice

· Liam Byrne (Ireland): Grade A Dangerous Contact, 1 Match Penalty Notice

The following players received cautions:

· Taniela Sadrugu (Fiji): Dangerous Contact

· Liam Byrne (Ireland): Other Contrary Behaviour