Wakefield Trinity make disciplinary challenge against Emre Guler’s ban

Serious About Rugby League can confirm that Wakefield Trinity have made the decision to challenge the two-match ban handed down to Emre Guler, in a bid to free the prop up for the remaining play-off games.

Guler was one of two players from the Super League play-off eliminators to be sent off for punching and then banned for two matches, with Hull KR’s Peta Hiku the other man.

As Hull KR lost and their season is now over, Hiku’s ban will be served in the pre-season, but for Wakefield and Guler, the first game of his two-match ban will be served on Saturday against Wigan Warriors. If Wakefield were to win that game then Guler’s second game of the ban would be served in the Grand Final.

For that reason, Wakefield have opted to challenge Guler’s ban with Trinity set to face an Operational Rules Tribunal tonight [Tuesday] in a bid to either plead the prop’s innocence or possibly reduce the grading of the charge.

Guler was handed a Grade E charge, worth 18 points, but one penalty point was deducted because of that red card. If Wakefield could somehow reduce the grading to Grade D then the prop would only be banned for one match, whereas if they can reduce it to Grade C or lower, or even overturn it, then he would not miss any games at all.

On the other hand, if Wakefield are unsuccessful in their appeal, then five penalty points will be added to the prop’s record for a failed appeal, something that would take him past the threshold of a three-match ban.

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Wakefield Trinity make Emre Guler case against disciplinary

How likely that may be is unclear given the fact that Guler’s charge certainly means the threshold for a punch given that he struck Owen Trout with a clenched first, though Wakefield could possibly argue that he simply had a grip of the Leigh man’s shirt in the tackle, hence his fist was clenched.

Sky Sports pundits Jon Wilkin and Sam Tomkins both labelled his actions as ‘daft’ and should the ban be upheld, then they may be very costly. Meanwhile, Guler’s head coach, Daryl Powell, argued that Guler’s actions did not constitute a punch and it’s likely on that basis the club will argue the prop’s case.

Speaking post-match, Powell said: “There might have been a bin but I don’t think it’s a punch.

“He’s reacted to heavy contact but I don’t think there’s any bad real intent in it. I don’t think it’s a red and I don’t think there should be anything to come from it to be honest. The sending off should be sufficient. It was pretty harsh.”

The results of the Operational Rules Tribunal are expected to be received on Tuesday evening.