Castleford Tigers star Liam Watts makes grateful statement after controversial ban

Castleford Tigers star Liam Watts will not be able to participate in the next four matches due to his Grade E Head Contact charge.

The independent Operational Rules Tribunals decided not to downgrade his charge in the latest Super League disciplinary saga. Watts had admitted to making contact with an opponent’s head during Saturday’s Betfred Super League match against Wigan Warriors. The tribunal upheld the original Match Review Panel grading. However, his teammate, Charbel Tasipale, saw his head contact charge downgraded from C to B and is free to play this weekend. Both players are fined £750 and £250, respectively.

In another hearing, Catalans Dragons’ duo Michael McIlorum and Paul Seguier are also facing bans of four matches and one match, respectively. McIlorum was unable to challenge his Grade E Head Contact charge during Saturday’s Betfred Super League match against Warrington Wolves. Meanwhile, Seguier’s Grade D Head Contact charge was downgraded to C on appeal, and he is fined £250, whereas McIlorum faces a fine of £750.

Castleford Tigers star Liam Watts issues statement

Following this decision, Liam Watts has issued a statement on Facebook. He said:

“Absolutely blown away by everyone’s support! Not just my own fans but fans across the game that’s reached out and made sure I’m ok.

“I just want to let everyone know, that no matter what happens on and off the field, I will always have the greatest respect for our great game and no one will ever change that opinion of it for me.

“4 games and £750 won’t stop me wanting to get back out there and putting 100% effort in and I’m going to use these four weeks, to do as much as I possibly can on the training pitch and around the club to keep positive and help in whatever way I can to get the boys ready for games.

“Up the fords ❤️🐯 thank you everyone.”

This comes after he was somehow suspended for longer than Franklin Pele of Hull FC who was hit with the same charge but unlike Watts, who was hit with the lowest suspension for a Grade E, Pele only received three matches.

Meanwhile, a Go Fund Me page has been set up to fund Watts’ fine of £750.