Super League disciplinary rule on Mikey Lewis’ bite allegations

One of the biggest stories from day two of Magic Weekend revolved around Super League star Mikey Lewis alleging that Catalans Cesar Rouge had bit him and there’s now a disciplinary verdict on the incident.

Hull KR returned to the top of Super League with a resounding 36-4 win but it was marred by accusations from Lewis that Catalans’ young star Cesar Rouge had bitten him, an incident that was placed on report by referee Tom Grant for the disciplinary panel to assess.

The Match Review Panel have now met and ruled on that incident as well as any others across the six Super League games, but what did the disciplinary panel make of the ‘biting’ allegations?

Neither Rouge or Lewis have been handed a ban with ‘No Further Action’ the verdict for both men although the Match Review Panel’s Minutes reveal what exactly that made of the incident.

Super League disciplinary panel rules on bite-gate

Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara had asked why Mikey Lewis had his hands in Cesar Rouge’s face, claiming that he’d be “very surprised” if Rouge had bitten the England star.

Instead, he argued against Lewis, stating: “I’m more concerned about why he’s stood up and he’s got his hand in his mouth so, let’s see what happens.”

The RFL’s Match Review Panel have deemed that there was no evidence of a bite as they seemed to agree with McNamara’s verdict.

Their verdict, in the Match Review Panel’s Minutes, explained: “Opponent has put hand in player’s mouth and footage does not show player biting down on his opponent.”

In regards to Lewis, he was looked at for ‘Other Contrary Behaviour’ with the verdict stating: “Player puts hand in opponent’s face unnecessarily however unclear if player has deliberately placed fingers in opponent’s mouth.”

Whilst both men escape punishment, the same couldn’t be said for two Hull FC players as Danive Balmforth and Ligi Sao both copped one-match bans, as did Olly Partington, Tim Lafaia, Muizz Mustapha and Kaide Ellis.