“Outrageous” – Hull FC fans react to controversial suspension

In the latest round of disciplinary decisions, Hull FC prop Jack Ashworth has been banned for three games for contact with the head in their game vs Catalans Dragons, and fans are reacting angrily on social media.

Ashworth received a yellow card for contact with the head of Chris Satae when it happened, but has since received a grade D charge, meaning he will miss games against Leigh Leopards and Hull KR, along with the sixth round of the Challenge Cup, unless they appeal.

This makes him the sixth Hull FC player to be banned this season already.

Hull FC are struggling for players this season, being without 13 players for their game against Leigh this weekend.

Hull FC Fans’ reaction

The lack of explanation was a key talking point – it seems that it’s hard to get fans behind the decisions when they don’t know the reason for them, particularly for a side that have already been hit with bans all season.

There were explanations issued with the disciplinary in Round One and Round Two but those have since stopped.

That’s absolutely outrageous! With no explanation provided, you can barely see the clash of heads! it’s absolutely corrupt, you can’t say that haven’t got a clue. Seems to me that they know exactly what they’re doing and who their targeting!!!!

— Danielle Gay (@dangayhfc65) March 11, 2024

Meanwhile, fans were baffled by a perceived lack of consistency from the Match Review Panel.

Appeal it! Guaranteed they look at the same TV footage tomorrow and come up with a completely different decision. Ashworth gets a sin bin and 3 matches; Percival a red and 2 matches; Hurrell got play on and 1 match; Nu Brown a red and not guilty?????? pic.twitter.com/7v4WvyadUZ

— Andy Moore (@AndyMoo287) March 11, 2024

Hurrell got one match ban for similar incident other week 🫠🤦🏻‍♂️

— Joe Bullivant 🎗 (@JoeBullivant) March 11, 2024

The RFL said Ashworth’s was at the ‘higher end of the charge’, which is why he received a harsher ban than Mark Percival for the same offence. However, they didn’t explain what it was that made it so.

The game is being ruined by people who have never played it before. Its rough its tough its Rugby League, that saying has gone down the drain

— Darran Hardcoredarts Laker (@HardcoreDarts) March 11, 2024

How do they improve the disciplinary process?

Ultimately, it feels like nobody really understands which challenges deserve certain bans, and this makes it hard for fans to stomach decisions like this, where it feels like there is a lack of consistency.

Perhaps the RFL’s Disciplinary Panel needs to be more transparent in their decision making processes. This would make it easier to follow, and would give coaches and players a better chance of knowing how to adapt their game in order to avoid bans and also allow fans to understand the reasons why their star men are on the sidelines.