Josh Griffin received a huge seven match ban for comments he made to official Chris Kendall at halftime in Hull FC’s clash with St Helens in the Challenge Cup.
Griffin pleaded guilty at tribunal but petitioned for a lower ban and even for the sentencing guidelines to be ignored.
This was because he argued it could have been his last chance to win the Challenge Cup and the fact he is chasing a contract with his deal expiring in 2023.
The RFL minutes read:
“JG told the Tribunal he was embarrassed by the charge and it was something he had to live with. It was an intense game and could be the last chance for him to win the Challenge Cup. There was a lot of raw emotion and he also felt he had let his teammates down. He had faced criticism following the incident and was remorseful for how things had turned out. He felt that his emotions had clouded his judgement.
“JC said he respected the Tribunal’s decision. He added that JG was out of contract at the end of the season and with just 12 games remaining a suspension as large as has been suggested by the Compliance Manager would not leave much of the season remaining.
“JC felt that a lower suspension would be more appropriate and also asked if the Tribunal would consider going outside the grading in this instance.”
