Appeal decision reached on Warrington Wolves star Paul Vaughan

An Operational Rules Tribunal have met and returned their verdict after Warrington Wolves appealed the three-match ban handed to Paul Vaughan.

Vaughan was handed a three-game ban after being sent off in Warrington Wolves’ loss on Friday night against Leigh Leopards. The Australian prop was shown red early in the game leaving Wire to play the majority of the clash with just 12 men.

Yesterday, the Match Review Panel handed down a Grade D charge for ‘Head Contact’ with the three-game ban coming at the higher end of the sanctioning grade. The Australian was also fined £250.

With just three rounds of the regular season to go, a three-game ban would mean that Vaughan’s campaign was done until we reach the Super League play-offs, however, Warrington have decided to appeal the charge.

That was confirmed earlier this morning with the RFL informing Serious About Rugby League of Warrington Wolves’ intent to challenge the grading of the offence.

If Warrington are successful, they could see the ban reduced but if it is deemed frivolous then it would potentially warrant an additional game, meaning Vaughan could miss play-off action.

Appeal decision reached on Warrington Wolves star Paul Vaughan

The Operational Rules Tribunal have now returned their verdict and decided to uphold their initial decision meaning that Vaughan’s three-game ban remains.

As revealed previously by Serious About Rugby League, Warrington and Vaughan challenged the grading and not the charge meaning the Australian did plead guilty but the tribunal found the grading to be correct.

A statement on the RFL website confirmed: “The independent Operational Rules Tribunal has upheld the Grade D Head Contact charge handed to the Warrington Wolves forward Paul Vaughan by the RFL’s Match Review Panel following an incident in last Friday’s Betfred Super League fixture at Leigh Leopards.

“The player pleaded guilty but challenged the grading. The Tribunal deemed the grading correct, meaning no change to the three-match suspension and £250 fine issued by the MRP.”

The red card that Vaughan had been shown on Friday night had been labelled as “embarrassing” by Warrington head coach Sam Burgess who launched into a scathing attack about the incident.

“It has become a theatrical game. Numerous players were telling players to stay down when we were about to play on.

“Is it really a red card? Were there mitigating factors? I believe so. I would have said yellow. It was such a big call because it had such an influence on the result.”

Vaughan had been one of five Super League players to receive a ban after the action from Round 24.