Castleford Tigers hooker Liam Horne has heard his Super League disciplinary appeal against a controversial six-game ban.
The Castleford hooker was handed the mammoth six-game ban last Tuesday when he attended an Operational Rules Tribunal after being handed a Grade E charge.
That Grade E charge was for ‘making contact with a player who may or may not be injured’ and related to an incident in which Liam Horne tugged the shirt of Wigan Warriors’ forward Kaide Ellis, encouraging the loose forward to get up and play the ball as he tried to run the clock down.
Many saw Ellis’ actions for what they were which was a case of time wasting, however, Horne’s actions were deemed severe enough that the Grade E charge was upheld and a six-game ban handed down.
That decision caused uproar among fans, particularly given the fact Hull KR forward Rhyse Martin escaped the same charge on that same night.
Liam Horne learns disciplinary fate after initial six-game ban
Deciding to appeal the ban, it was expected that Castleford Tigers would use the huge gulf in zero penalty points and 36 penalty points as an argument for why Liam Horne was unfairly treated.
The verdict of the appeal has now been heard with the disciplinary panel confirming that Horne was unsuccessful in his appeal, meaning his six-match ban is upheld.
An RFL statement said: “Liam Horne has been unsuccessful in his appeal of a Grade E unnecessary contact with a player who is injured or maybe injured charge following Castleford Tigers clash against Wigan Warriors during Round 16 of the Betfred Super League.
“As his appeal was unsuccessful Horne will be suspended for six matches and has been issued a fine – alongside 36 points that will be added to his disciplinary record.”
Earlier in the evening, Leigh Leopards had successfully overturned a Grade B charge handed to prop forward Joe Ofahengaue.
