Verdict revealed following Wigan Warriors star’s appeal

Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Hull FC, Leigh Leopards and Castleford Tigers stars all landed in hot water yesterday after the match review panel met.

12 charges were handed out to Super League and League One players as the third tier prepares for its play-offs.

Of the 12 charges, four of them were bans and three went to Super League players.

Castleford Tigers duo Liam Horne and Liam Watts were both banned. Horne was suspended for two games due to a dangerous throw and Watts for one game for tripping.

They both accepted their bans even though Watts was receiving his 10th in two years.

Kaide Ellis of Wigan was banned for dangerous contact and given a one match suspension.

The Wigan Warriors star appealed his one match ban has been successful.

The RFL released the following statement:

“Kaide Ellis (Wigan Warriors) will be available for selection for Friday’s Betfred Super League match against Salford Red Devils after successfully challenging the Match Review Panel’s grading of dangerous contact with an opponent during Saturday’s match at Catalans Dragons.

“Ellis admitted the offence, but today’s tribunal downgraded the panel’s grading from B to A and changed the penalty from one match to a £250 fine.”

Wigan Warriors added:

“Kaide Ellis will be available for selection for Friday’s Betfred Super League match against Salford Red Devils after successfully challenging the Match Review Panel’s grading of dangerous contact with an opponent during last Saturday’s match at Catalans Dragons.”

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

Liam Horne (Castleford Tigers) – Grade D Dangerous Throw – 2 Match Penalty Notice and a £250 Fine
Liam Watts (Castleford Tigers) – Grade B Trip – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Joe Batchelor (St Helens) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine
Marc Sneyd (Salford Red Devils) – Grade B Strikes – £250 Fine
Oliver Gildart (Leigh Leopards) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine
Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons) – Grade B Raising knee in tackle – £250 Fine
Kaide Ellis (Wigan Warriors) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Jack Brown (Hull FC) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – N/A
Sam Walters (Leeds Rhinos) – Grade B Trips – £250 Fine
Jordan Thomson (Workington Town) – Grade A Foul Language – N/A
Josh Johnson (Oldham) – Grace B Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Brett Ferres (Doncaster) – Grade B Trips – £40 fine
The following player was handed a caution:

Oliver Russell (Huddersfield Giants) – Other Contrary Behaviour
Match Review Panel – August 28 Minutes

Today’s meeting considered incidents from the weekend’s Betfred League One fixtures, as well as the Betfred Super League, because the League One Promotion Play-Offs start next Sunday (September 3) – so any suspensions would kick in immediately, with any challenges to be heard at this week’s independent Operational Rules Tribunal (Tuesday August 29).

The weekend’s Betfred Championship fixtures will be considered as normal at a meeting of the Match Review Panel on Thursday, with any suspensions delayed until the weekend of September 9-10, to allow players to challenge at next Tuesday’s Operational Rules Tribunal (September 5).