An RFL Operational Rules Tribunal have met and returned their verdict after St Helens appealed the one-match ban handed to Matty Lees.
The prop forward was handed a one-match ban following St Helens’ loss to Warrington Wolves on Saturday, a game in which the England star was sent to the sin bin.
However, Lees’ ban did not come for the incident that saw him carded but instead for an unpunished action later in the game. Lees was handed a Grade B charge for making contact with a match official.
In what had been a feisty game, mainly charged by Lees’ earlier soft sin bin, the prop charged in to challenge a Warrington tackler after a penalty was blown. Referee Chris Kendall stepped forward and ordered Lees to stop in an attempt to try and prevent an issue, but was bumped by the rampaging forward.
Some fans argued against the ban but former Super League official clarified the matter as he stated: “Rubbish. What’s Lees running over for? Kendall arrives first. Referee has blown for a penalty. Nothing to do with Lees. Simple, don’t run in!”
Clearly though, St Helens felt they had a case as it was confirmed that they would challenge the grading of the charge, in an attempt to overturn the ban and see Lees available for Friday’s game against Castleford.
The verdict is now in.
St Helens learn fate of Matty Lees’ appeal
Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
The Operational Rules Tribunal have now returned their verdict and downgraded the charge from Grade B to Grade A meaning that the ban is overturned.
Instead, the St Helens man is just fined for the Grade A charge. It means that he will be available for Friday’s game.
An RFL statement explained: “Matty Lees of St Helens had his challenge against the grading of a charge arising from Saturday’s Betfred Super League fixture at Warrington upheld.
“Lees was charged with a Grade B offence of contact with a match official, which carried a one match suspension. The independent Operational Rules Tribunal downgraded to a Grade A charge, therefore removing the suspension, although a £250 fine stands.”
Lees had been one of two St Helens players to be banned with hooker Moses Mbye also on the end of a one-match ban after the weekend’s game.
Mbye was hit with a ‘Dangerous Contact’ charge and his absence means that Paul Wellens will have some difficult selection issues with several St Helens players missing through injury and suspension.
St Helens will host Castleford Tigers on Friday night in what will be their final home game of the season, barring the Red Vee somehow snatching fourth place in Super League which looks unlikely.
