The RFL have confirmed that both St Helens and Leigh Leopards have been handed fines for the incidents that marred the end of the team’s meeting back in March.
Footage of the incident after the game back in March saw what appeared to be St Helens fans being attacked by a member of Leigh staff with players such as John Asiata holding that employee back, however, little context was provided for the incident.
It has been investigated and a judgement made with confirmation from the RFL that the fines are suspended until the end of the 2025 season after the two Super League sides were found to breach Operational Rules relating to stewarding.
St Helens have been handed a £1,500 fine whilst Leigh Leopards have escaped a fine as a club, but coaching staff member Ste Maden has been handed a £1,000 fine for his actions.
His actions were deemed to be in conflict with the behaviour standards, the Respect policy and generally prejudicial to the interests of the game.
Amateur side York Acorn were also fined for the behaviour of some of their supporters during their impressive Challenge Cup win on the road against Cornwall. That fine of £500 is also suspended with the RFL taking into account actions that have since been taken by the club
RFL lay down the law with Saints and Leigh Leopards fined
Credit: Imago Images
News of the fines was shared by the RFL who shared the following statement on the issue.
“St Helens have been fined £1,500, suspended until the end of the 2025 season, for breaches of the Operational Rules relating to stewarding, following an incident after the Betfred Super League fixture against Leigh Leopards on March 1.
“Ste Maden, a member of the Leopards coaching staff, has been fined £1,000, again suspended until the end of the 2025 season, for breaches of the Operational Rules relating to behaviour standards, the Respect policy, and conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game.
“York Acorn have been fined £500, suspended to the end of the 2025 season, and also received a formal warning, following the misbehaviour of some of their supporters in a Betfred Challenge Cup tie at Cornwall RLFC. The punishment takes into account a number of actions taken by the York Acorn club following the incident, including a review of their safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures, and social media training for their open age players.”
First weekend of May marred by post-match incidents
Credit: Imago Images
The incident between Saints and Leigh Leopards was among the first of a number of post-match incidents this season with this past weekend seeing two of those, one including St Helens.
On Friday night Sam Burgess and Richie Myler were engaged in a tunnel spat after Burgess took exception to Hull’s refusal to overlook what Burgess felt was a clear error.
As exclusively revealed by Serious About Rugby League, the RFL received a different 21-man squad to the one that Warrington shared across all their social media channels and when Adam Holroyd was named in the matchday squad, the issue was flagged.
Warrington were punished with the docking of an interchange, a practice that also happened in Round Two for Castleford against Salford, but Burgess fumed as he claimed it negated player safety and that Hull FC could have disregarded the issue.
That saw Burgess rant post-match on Sky Sports before his tunnel barge of Myler for what he claimed was in reaction to a “smart comment”.
The incident this weekend involving St Helens came from their fans as footage emerged on social media of fans clashing with Hull KR supporters following the Red Vee’s huge 40-20 loss.
