Catalans Dragons forward Tariq Sims has been at an RFL Operational Rules Tribunal tonight to learn his fate after his red card in Saturday’s Super League match.
The Catalans forward was hit with a Grade F charge of ‘Lifting an injured player’, having attempted to move Ed Chamberlain after tackling him.
A Grade F charge can carry a ban of six or more matches but the Catalans star was already handed a one-game ban for a Grade B charge of ‘Head Contact’.
Alongside Sims at the tribunal was St Helens captain Jonny Lomax for a Grade E charge of ‘Head Contact’ which carries a suspension range of three to five games.
Also given bans are St Helens’ Mark Percival, given a one-game ban for Grade B head Contact, Liam Horne of Castleford Tigers, given a two game ban for Grade C Head Contact (higher end), Ligi Sao of Hull FC for Grade C Head Contact (higher end) and Matty Storton of Hull KR, given a one-game ban for Grade C Other Contrary Behaviour.
Sims has now learned his fate.
Super League star banned for five matches
The Operational Rules Tribunal have ruled on Sims’ case and determined that the offence was incorrectly graded at Grade F and therefore it’s been lowered to Grade E and carries a four-game ban.
A statement on the RFL website read: “Catalans Dragons’ Tariq Sims will miss his side’s next five matches after a tribunal hearing found him guilty of making unnecessary contact with a player who is or may be injured during his side’s Betfred Super League match with Hull FC.
“Originally referred as a Grade F offence, the tribunal reduced this to Grade E on appeal and handed Sims a four-match ban on top of the one match ban already in place for Grade B head contact with an opponent during the same game. He is also fined £1,500.”
Because of his one-game ban for ‘Head Contact’, he will now miss five of the remaining eight Super League games in a huge blow for Catalans.
Chris
August 1, 2024 at 9:33 am
I have watched and played rugby all my life, as did my dad. The state of our game now is awful. The worst referees by far, the disciplinary panel are wet wipes, the game is ruined in Britain, 3 match bans for accidental headclash, red cards for contact with the head when a player is falling,what do they want, tick rugby. Fans pay to watch the big stars play, usually they are suspended and as for ex players with CTE, you know the risks before, same as boxers, they don’t complain about later life injuries, live life, you are lucky to have a career in professional sport. As for the authorities, leave the game alone, if you want a safe game, go to athletics not a contact sport and please educate referees, the Aussies can do it