Super League Disciplinary: Clubs make decision on appeals

The Match Review Panel findings were released yesterday and the next step of the Super League Disciplinary process considers appeals with clubs having now confirmed if they will challenge those charges or not.

Round Seven saw eight players charged with four of those being banned, all suspended players being handed a one-match ban for their actions.

Those four were Salford Red Devils’ Amir Bourouh, Hull KR’s Sam Luckley and Hull FC duo Ligi Sao and Jack Brown, with all barring Luckley being handed Grade B charges.

The Hull KR forward was handed a Grade C charge for his ‘dangerous throw’ but was only given the one game, whilst the three Grade B charges were all at the higher end of the charge which is why they warranted a ban.

It has meant that the Geordie forward will miss this weekend’s Challenge Cup Final rematch against Leigh Leopards with the two sides meeting at Craven Park for the quarter-final stage this year.

That’s now been confirmed with Hull KR opting to not challenge the appeal meaning Luckley’s ban is upheld.

As for the three other players Bourouh, Sao and Brown, their sides have been knocked out of the Challenge Cup meaning they will miss Round Eight of Super League if they don’t win an appeal, and their sides have now decided whether to challenge the Super League disciplinary verdict.

Super League Disciplinary: Players accept bans

It’s been confirmed to Serious About Rugby League that as well as Hull KR accepting their Sam Luckley ban, both Salford Red Devils and Hull FC have decided not to challenge either.

It makes for a rare occasion this season that the Operational Rules Tribunal haven’t had to deal with Super League appeals, last week seeing three cases being heard.

Wigan had their appeal against Tyler Dupree’s ban rejected and saw Liam Byrne handed a four-game ban whilst Leeds Rhinos successfully downgraded Cam Smith’s charge from a ban to a fine.

With no appeals tonight, it confirms the fact that Hull FC have had their players suspended for a total of 11 matches, a Super League high so far this season.

In fact, Ligi Sao himself has been shown more cards than three Super League sides with Hull FC boasting the worst Super League disciplinary record by far.

That’s seen them shown seven yellows and three reds whilst conceding a league-high 57 penalties, stats that have highlighted what a nightmare start Tony Smith’s side has had.

Round Seven Bans and Charges

With confirmation that there are no appeals, these are the confirmed charges and bans from Super League Round Seven.

Abbas Miski (Wigan Warriors) – Dangerous Contact – Grade B  -£250 Fine
Sam Luckley (Hull KR) – Dangerous Throw – Grade C – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves) – Dangerous Contact – Grade B  – £250 Fine
Ligi Sao (Hull FC) – Dangerous Contact – Grade B – 1 Match Penalty Notice (Higher end of the Charge Grade)
Jack Brown (Hull FC) – Dangerous Throw – Grade B – 1 Match Penalty Notice (Higher end of the Charge Grade)
Liam Sutcliffe (Hull FC) – Head Contact – Grade B – £250 Fine
Elie El-Zakhem (Castleford Tigers) – Head Contact – Grade B – £250 Fine
Amir Bourouh (Salford Red Devils ) – Dangerous Throw – Grade B – 1 Match Penalty Notice (Higher end of the Charge Grade)