Super League disciplinary: Two players see charges downgraded at tribunal

The twists and turns with the Super League disciplinary saga have continued tonight with the independent operational rules tribunal held by the RFL to consider seven case.

Hull FC have confirmed that their two players who appeared at the tribunal saw their charges lowered.

Franklin Pele was red carded and charged with Grade E head contact and Ligi Sao was red carded after an incident with Matt Parcell which yielded a Garde D offence.

Despite the fact that Pele was found guilty of a Grade E head contact which carries a minimum charge of four games, he was only been banned for three. He has also been fined £750.

This is very different to the treatment of Liam Watts for a similar offence. He got four games.

This case was referred to tribunal for being a Grade E charge by the Match Review Panel. Meanwhile Hull FC were appealing Ligi Sao’s Grade D offence and got down graded to a Grade B.

He receives a one match ban and a £250 fine which means he will miss the game against Warrington Wolves this weekend.

Pele and Herman Ese’ese will also miss the game with bans whilst the Wolves will be without Jordy Crowther with a suspension.

Meanwhile, Ryan Brierley will be available for Salford Red Devils’ next match after his Grade C Head Contact charge was downgraded to B on appeal. He is, however, fined £250.

Super League disciplinary charges

Earlier today, the following players accepted Match Review Panel-imposed penalty notices.

Herman Ese’Ese (Hull FC) – Head Contact – Grade D – 2 Matches – £250 Fine
Jayden Okunbor (Hull FC) – Dangerous Contact – Grade B – £250 Fine
Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors) – Dangerous Throw/Lift – Grade B – £250 Fine
Jordan Crowther (Warrington Wolves) – Other Contrary Behaviour – Grade C – 1 Match
Coby Nichol (Cornwall) – Head Contact – Grade B – £40 fine
Lewis Hosty (Siddal) – Punching – Grade D – 2 Matches
Jarrod Sammut (Workington Town) – Dangerous Contact – Grade C – 1 Match
Jack Stephenson (Workington Town) – Dangerous Contact – Grade B – £40 Fine
Joe Lovodua (Doncaster) – Dangerous Contact – Grade C – 1 Match
Toby Everett (Hunslet) – Head Contact – Grade B – £40 Fine
Matt Parcell (Hull KR) – Other Contrary Behaviour – Grade B – 1 Match

The following tribunals will take place on Wednesday 21 February.

Luke Broadbent (Barrow Raiders) – Punching – Grade E
Ben O’Keefe (Oldham) – Punching – Grade D – 2 Matches
Josh Hartshorne (Cornwall) – Punching – Grade E
Oliver Lewis (Siddal) – Punching – Grade E
Mason Lino (Wakefield Trinity) – Striking – Grade D – 3 Matches – £125 Fine
Dean Roberts (Featherstone Rovers) – Unacceptable Language – Grade F

The following players have had their cases deferred by a week as they do not have a game this weekend.

Tom Amone (Leigh Leopards) – Head Contact – Grade C – 2 Matches
Jack Hughes (Leigh Leopards) – Dangerous Contact – Grade B – £250 Fine
Ricky Leutele (Leigh Leopards) – Head Contact – Grade C – 1 Match
Zak Hardaker (Leigh Leopards) – Dangerous Contact – Grade B – £250 Fine