Rugby league agent slams disciplinary process after failed Kelepi Tanginoa appeal from Wakefield Trinity

Last night, Wakefield Trinity forward Kelepi Tanginoa went to a tribunal hearing to appeal his one-match ban given for ‘dangerous contact’ in the defeat to St Helens.

Trinity went down 13-12 to Saints on Sunday afternoon, but Tanginoa was cited and handed a one-match ban by the Disciplinary Match Review Panel.

Both Tanginoa and Castleford Tigers star Jake Mamo appealed last night, but, whilst Mamo’s one-match ban was rescinded, Tanginoa’s wasn’t.

An RFL statement said last night: “Jake Mamo of Castleford Tigers has successfully appealed against the one-match suspension imposed on him by the Match Review Panel for disputing a decision in the Betfred Super League victory at Hull FC last Friday. Tonight’s meeting of the Operational Rules Tribunal accepted Mamo’s plea that his actions were not aimed at the referee, and therefore found him not guilty.

“The ORT upheld the one-match suspension imposed on Kelepi Tanginoa, who had challenged a Grade A charge of dangerous contact in Sunday’s home game against St Helens. The challenge was not found to be frivolous, but the one-match suspension and £500 fine still stands.”

However, Tanginoa’s agent tweeted last night: “Disappointed and frustrated. The RFL disciplinary process does not do our great sport or its players justice and changes are needed quickly to help the game move out of this ban-happy crisis.Prosecution overzealous but lacking professionalism football top on, in kids bedroom! Wow.”

Disappointed and frustrated.The RFL disciplinary process does not do our great sport or its players justice and changes are needed quickly to help the game move out of this ban-happy crisis.Prosecution overzealous but lacking professionalism football top on, in kids bedroom! Wow

— Graeme Taylor (@G18EME) July 26, 2022

Following the latest round of Betfred Super League fixtures, the following sanctions were issued.

Ligi Sao – Hull FC – Grade D Strikes – Refer to Tribunal
Leroy Cudjoe – Huddersfield Giants – Grade B Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Jake Mamo – Castleford Tigers – Grade B Disputes Decision – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Connor Wynne – Hull FC – Grade A Disputes Decision – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Daniel Alvaro – Toulouse Olympique – Grade B Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Korbin Sims – Hull KR – Grade B Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Kelepi Tanginoa – Wakefield Trinity – Grade A Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice