The Super League disciplinary process has taken a turn this week with Hull FC star Nu Brown avoiding suspension following his red card, the RFL instead stating that they got it wrong.
A statement released by the RFL accompanied the Super League disciplinary charges and it explained that whilst Brown’s red card was correct under the rules at the time and how they were written, the rules are too stringent and hadn’t accounted for such incidents.
Hull FC signing Brown had been spun around in the tackle which flung him towards Warrington’s Ben Currie with the two then clashing heads, resulting in referee Marcus Griffiths showing the Kiwi international a red card.
Information on the statement can be read here, but the Match Review Panel minutes in which Super League disciplinary issues are discussed has also provided insight.
The minutes state: “Player makes legitimate initial contact and as the tackle develops the player is spun round and the opponent is turned into the player, causing head on head contact.”
Thankfully that means Brown won’t be punished but it’s still devasting for the club who were right in the game against Warrington before the send-off, going on to be outscored 30-4 when they went down to 12 men.
News of the Hull FC star escaping a ban and the RFL effectively admitting an error in their rulings has led to fans rejoicing, particularly given how extreme the fan reaction to the initial incident was.
“Sorry we cost you the game” – Hull FC fans react after RFL make Nu Brown decision
Despite the RFL taking the correct action in admitting error and confirming rules will be amended, some fans still weren’t happy and did reference the fact that the Black and Whites were in the game.
One asked: “Any apologies to Nu Brown/Hull FC? Up until then our players were on top in that game.”
Any apologies to Nu Brown/Hull FC? up until then our players were on top in that game
— mark hughes (@mark_hull_73) February 26, 2024
Another added: “Doesn’t help Hull or their fans…. Making rugby league a laughing stock.”
Doesn’t help Hull or their fans…..making rugby league a laughing stock….
— Carole Shaw (@CaroleS66750983) February 26, 2024
One Hull FC fan summed up the statement: “We messed up, we’re clueless about the new rules, sorry we cost u the game but we can’t do anything about it.”
I’ll sum it up for anyone who doesn’t fancy the read: we messed up, we’re clueless about the new rules, sorry we cost u the game but we can’t do anything about it
— Sam🇹🇷 (@KempAbblettHull) February 26, 2024
The huge way the red card changed the game was one of the key topics of discussion as whilst Brown won’t be banned, Hull FC won’t get another chance at winning those two points.
That was how one fan felt, argued sarcastically: “@TheRFL Hull win this game with 13 men on the field, but that doesn’t matter because you’ve said sorry.”
@TheRFL Hull win this game with 13 men on the field, but that doesn’t matter because you’ve said sorry 👍 https://t.co/lSPtH15qxg
— Harvey Healey (@hammerharvey_16) February 26, 2024
