Catalans Dragons have been hit with a charge by the Rugby Football League over breaking their Operational Rules during their play-off semi-final against St Helens.
Steve McNamara’s side won that semi-final in the dying seconds of the game when Sam Tomkins looked set to kick a drop goal, but instead dummied and darted through to score under the sticks.
It was a moment of Tomkins magic that was reminiscent of his glory days when he burst onto the Super League scene, but it was also the play that earned the Dragons a place in the Grand Final at Old Trafford.
That marked the second time in three years that the French side had made it to the big game, something that should be celebrated however fans overstepped by storming the pitch.
As such the Dragons have mow been hitting with an RFL charge and will be required to highlight how they will prevent further incidents happening.
A statement from the RFL confirmed the news.
It read: “Catalans Dragons have accepted an agreed decision after being charged with breaches of the RFL’s Operational Rules following their Betfred Super League Semi Final against St Helens at Stade Gilbert Brutus in October.
“The Dragons have had a suspended fine from 2022 of £12,500 activated – although £5,000 of the fine remains suspended.
“In addition, the club has been required to provide a plan for the 2024 season detailing how they will ensure the safety of opposition teams, staff, directors and supporters, in addition to the match officials – and have already begun working with RFL officials.
“The agreed decision takes into account the Dragons’ full co-operation with the RFL’s Compliance investigation, and the fact that the pitch invasion which followed the St Helens game was celebratory in nature.
“However the club accepted there was still an element of danger, and they were found to have breached Operational Rules B1:7, B1:8 and C2:6.”
In a separate statement from the club, Christophe Levy, Catalans Dragons Head of commercial, stated: “It is still a big frustration to be financially sanctioned for a moment of joy at the end of this epic game. But we understand the RFL’s decision because under no circumstances can we accept the invasion of the field by our supporters, even if it was a moment of joy without animosity towards the players and referees. We reiterate the message to all our supporters, from the youngest to the oldest, that they cannot enter the field at any time during the game. We will once again go through an entire season with the threat of behind closed-door matches and a larger financial penalty if other issues happen in 2024.”
