Castleford Tigers to accept fundraiser money to pay Liam Watts’ fine

In a bizarre turn of events, Castleford Tigers have confirmed that they will accept donations to pay off the £750 fine handed to Liam Watts.

We’re only a week into the Super League season yet it’s been a week full of highly talked about events, one of the major ones being the decision by Tom Grant to show a red card to Liam Watts in Castleford’s clash with Wigan Warriors.

Watts was adjudged to have made contact with the head of Wigan forward Tyler Dupree and his failure to correctly wrap his arm saw him sent off, much to the shock of many fans.

Monday’s Match Review Panel found Watts guilty of a Grade E charge which in turn sent him to the Operational Rules Tribunal last night where he learned his fate as being a four-game ban and a fine of £750.

Whilst fans can’t serve the ban for him, they can certainly help out with the financial aspect of the punishment and that’s led to a Castleford fan creating a Just Giving fundraiser to pay off the fine.

It was reported earlier and at that point, it had accrued £465 of the £750 total and it has since sailed past its goal which has prompted a response from Castleford themselves.

Liam Watts fundraiser smashes goal and will serve to help Castleford Tigers PDRL and LDRL teams

After the fundraiser surpassed its £750 goal Castleford Tigers have now confirmed that they will accept the money with additional funds to pay Charbel Tasipale’s fine, with an extra set to go towards a brilliant cause.

At the time of writing the excess amount is £170 but given the rate at which funds have been donated that figure could well continue to soar.

The Tigers posted on their X account: “What a magnificent gesture from our amazing fanbase! We have been in touch with the organiser and agreed that if it hits the £1,000 mark, it will pay for Tasipale’s fine too Anything over that amount will go straight into the Castleford Tigers PDRL and LDRL teams!”

Incredibly the fundraiser has now surpassed the £1,000 mark which means both the PDRL and LDRL teams will receive some cash, showing the brilliant attitude of the Castleford Tigers’ fans who felt very aggrieved about the ban.

The fundraiser itself had called out the RFL and even argued that Liam Watts has been “targetted” by the RFL, and whilst that may be the organiser’s opinion it’s now refreshing to see such a positive outcome with respect to the two Tigers’ sides that will benefit.

It will now go to pay off both fines, Tasipale having been hit with a £250 fine after his Grade C charge was lowered to a Grade B.