Why Hull FC star avoided ban despite calls for suspension on Sky

On Friday night Hull FC Ligi Sao hit Tee Ritson with a high tackle as Hull FC lost to St Helens.

After the game it was questioned if she should have been sin binned like Matty Lees in St Helens’ defeat to Leigh Leopards.

Brian Carney led the discussions on Sky Sports asking: “Should Hull FC have been down to 12 men? Last week Paul Wellens was fuming at the Matty Lees yellow card, was this the same?

Phil Clarke said of the matter that he expects the disciplinary panel will be looking at it:

“I think it is. I think it is a poor tackle from Ligi Sao. The disciplinary committee might be taking a look at that.”

Meanwhile, Terry O’Connor said Sao was lucky to stay on the field:

“It is one of them, he knows he has got it wrong has Ligi Sao and he is lucky to stay on the field for those next 10 minutes.

“You can see in it, there wasn’t much real intent in it but really, really lucky.”

In light of Matty Lees’ yellow card last week, Carney added: “Well Paul Wellens might have something to say about that.”

In the end, Phil Clarke was right as the disciplinary panel did look at the incident but it was determined that the incident didn’t warrant a ban.

Why?

This is what the panel said: “Player makes initial contact with the shoulder before riding up into the head.”