It has been widely criticized that Castleford Tigers forward, Liam Watts, was controversially red-carded in the first round of Super League due to accidental contact with the head.
As a result, he now faces a massive ban, and the Rugby Football League (RFL) has informed that changes have been made to the Head Contact Sanctioning Framework for the 2024 season of Betfred Super League. The Match Officials and the Match Review Panel are responsible for implementing these changes.
For charges graded A-D, recommended punishments are provided, which players and clubs can challenge at an Operational Rules Tribunal (ORT) on Tuesday evening. However, for Grade E and F charges, the player is required to appear at an ORT on Tuesday evening.
In the opening round of the Betfred Super League, 13 cards were shown. Out of those, 10 incidents would have led to a card being shown under the framework that applied in 2023. One area that has made a difference is in head on head contact, and the responsibility of attacking and tackling players in this area.
Castleford Tigers in talks with the RFL
Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 17/02/2024 – Rugby League – Betfred Super League Round 1 – Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors – the Mend A Hose Jungle, Castleford, England – Castleford coach Craig Lingard is interviewed after his side s loss to Wigan. Castleford Mend A Hose Jungle England Copyright: x xSWpix.comxt/axPhotographyxHubxLtdxAllanxMcKenzie/SWpix.comx SWP-2371-0035
Following the disciplinary, Castleford Tigers have called for an urgent meeting to address the fact that they feel Watts’ offence was comparable to similar offences which have not been dealt with as strictly.
Danny Wilson said on the club’s official website: “I think you could see everybody in the game’s reaction to Liam Watts alone. At the end of the day, people make mistakes, players make mistakes, match officials make mistakes, and you can live with that if it sits with that game. When it goes to the match review panel it get’s graded in a way in comparison to other instances over the weekend. We’re left a bit confused so we need to get our house in order pretty quick. To do that, we need some explanation of why they are graded the way they are. We’ve asked for an urgent meeting with the powers that be for some explanation.”
Now an RFL spokesperson has confirmed to Serious About Rugby League that the process of communication between the RFL and the club has begun.
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