Super League star successfully has ban overturned after yellow card

After the last round of fixtures, Leeds Rhinos, Hull FC, Hull KR, Leigh Leopards and Catalans Dragons stars all landed in hot water.

A huge 16 charges were handed out by the Match Review Panel on Monday.

A remarkable eight of them were shared by Hull KR and Catalans Dragons and the same number were handed out for late hits.

Three of those late hits came from Catalans Dragons players. In fact a huge six charges came from their game against Leigh with four of them being for the French side.

That made them responsible for 25% of the charges brought on Monday afternoon.

Two of them were for yellow carded late hits from Mike McMeeken and Michael McIlorum the latter of which was suspended for one game. Despite eight players being charged with the offence, McIlorum was the only one suspended.

After this McIlorum appealed his ban and has been successful.

The RFL made the following statement:

“Michael McIlorum of Catalans Dragons has successfully challenged the Grade B charge imposed by Monday’s meeting of the Match Review Panel, for late contact in Saturday’s Betfred Super League fixture at Leigh Leopards.

“McIlorum had been suspended for one match, but the ORT ruled that he was not guilty of the charge, and he is now free to play in this weekend’s fixture against Wigan Warriors.”

The other player suspended, Hull FC skipper Carlos Tuimavave, was hit with a two match ban for a dangerous throw against Wigan on Friday night.

Despite Tony Smith’s dismay at the decision, Hull did not appeal the centre’s ban meaning he will miss two games whilst McIlorum is back in time to face his former club Wigan in a crucial game at the top of the table.

Following the latest round of Betfred Super League fixtures, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions:

Chris Atkin (Salford Red Devils) – Grade B Dangerous Lift – £250 Fine
Greg Eden (Castleford Tigers) – Grade B High Tackle – £250 Fine
Jay Pitts (Wakefield Trinity) – Grade A Late Contact – Not Applicable
Mason Lino (Wakefield Trinity) – Grade B Late Contact – £250 Fine
Cameron Smith (Leeds Rhinos) – Grade B Late Contact – £250 Fine
Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons) – Grade B Late Contact – £250 Fine
Julian Bousquet (Catalans Dragons) – Grade B Late Contact – £250 Fine
Mitchell Pearce (Catalans Dragons) – Grade A High Tackle – £250 Fine
Michael McIlorum (Catalans Dragons) – Grade B Late Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Lachlan Lam (Leigh Leopards) – Grade A Other Contrary Behaviour – Not Applicable
Tom Briscoe (Leigh Leopards) – Grade A Reactionary Trip – Not Applicable
Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Hull KR) – Grade B Other Contrary Behaviour – £250 Fine
Jimmy Keinhorst (Hull KR) – Grade B Late Contact – £250 Fine
Tom Opacic (Hull KR) – Grade B Late Contact – £250 Fine
Matt Parcell (Hull KR) – Grade B Intentional Trip – £250 Fine
Carlos Tuimavave (Hull FC) – Grade D Dangerous Throw – 2 Match Penalty Notice
The following player was handed a caution:

Suiai Matagi (Castleford Tigers) – Late Contact