Wigan Warriors’ John Bateman charged with bizarre incident in Super League win

Wigan Warriors demolished Toulouse Olympique with ease last Friday night, but there was a bizarre incident which left one Wigan man in hot water with the Disciplinary Match Review Panel.

That incident involved John Bateman who was cited and charged with Grade A Other Contrary Behaviour. The minutes reveal what happened: “Law 15.1 (i) Other Contrary Behaviour Grade A.”

The allegation was in fact for pulling an opponent’s hair, though it doesn’t say who the opponent for Toulouse was.

The others that were cited and charged by the Disciplinary Match Review Panel were:

Liam Hood (Wakefield Trinity) – Grade D Shoulder Charge – Refer to Tribunal
John Bateman (Wigan Warriors) – Grade A Other Contrary Behaviour – 0 Match Penalty Notice
George King (Hull KR) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – 0 Match Penalty Notice
Michael McIlorum (Catalans Dragons) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Sam Hewitt (Huddersfield Giants) – Grade A High Tackle – 0 Match Penalty Notice

The following player was handed a caution:

Bureta Faraimo (Castleford Tigers) – Contact with Match Official

It means that only Hood and McIlorum will be banned for the following games, though the Wakefield man could be given as many as five matches following a dangerous shoulder charge hit on Hull’s Chris Satae.

Bateman, however, is free to play against St Helens in what should be a brilliant derby.