Former Warrington Wolves man Zane Musgrove handed huge ban after tribunal

It’s been confirmed that former Warrington Wolves player Zane Musgrove has been handed a huge eight-game ban by the RFL.

Musgrove, who was released by Warrington last month before joining Championship side Oldham, was cited for use of unacceptable language earlier this month. The charge related to an incident that occurred in Warrington’s Challenge Cup semi-final in May.

The forward has since attended an independent operational rules tribunal, with Musgrove pleading guilty to the charge, with his words being related to disability. He has expressed remorse, with the written ruling from Sean Smith, who chaired the tribunal crediting him for his immediate apology.

A statement released by the RFL read: “Zane Musgrove of Oldham has been suspended for eight matches after pleading guilty to the use of unacceptable language following the Betfred Challenge Cup Semi Final (when he was a Warrington Wolves player).

“The language related to disability.

“In his written ruling Sean Smith, who chaired the independent Operational Rules Tribunal on Tuesday evening (June 24), credited the player for apologising immediately after the incident, and for subsequently expressing remorse, and undertaking education.

“A full written ruling will be published in the coming days.”

The ban means Musgrove will miss a huge chunk of the season for Oldham with the forward set to sit out of all but the final three games of the club’s Championship campaign. The eight-game suspension means he will miss key games against the likes of Halifax Panthers and Bradford Bulls and York Knights and with Sean Long’s side in the running at the top end of the division, that will come as a blow.

The Samoa international  made 38 appearances during his season and a half stay at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. So far he has played three games for Oldham, with a try coming in the loss to Toulouse Olympique last weekend.