Case Number:

ON/264/25

Dane Manning #11, Batley

Competition:

1895 Cup

Match:

Batley Bulldogs v Bradford Bulls

Match Date:

2025-03-02

Incident:

Punching

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Law 15.1 (a)

Punching – sustained and, repeated or violent - makes contact with the Head of an opponent

Grade E

Fine:

£250

Sanctions:

4+

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty

Summary of CM's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 6th March, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(a) during the above match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 01 19 35 footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you have thrown and landed multiple punches to the head of your opponents. In the Panel’s opinion this is serious misconduct, has the potential for serious injury and is against the spirit of the game.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade E offence – Punching – sustained and, repeated or violent - makes contact with the Head of an opponent.

The Penalty Points generally for such an offence would be anything from 24 Penalty Points plus.

• Match Review Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in the above match where Mr Manning was dismissed following his actions.

• Following a tackle, Mr Manning can be seen to throw punches three punches towards the head of his opponent Mr Blake, connecting with at least one punch to the head.

• Mr Manning is then separated from his opponent by Mr Blake’s teammate, Mr Holmes and throws at least three punches, all towards the head area.

• The MRP believe it to be an aggravating factor that Mr Manning is the only person within the incident who is throwing punches.

• Grade E due to:
- Multiple punches thrown, with a number which connect with the head area.
- Player throws 2 punches at the head of an opponent who is not prepared.
- Potential for injury to the head. Area of concern for the game.
- Violent act which brings the sport into disrepute and portrays the game in a negative light.

Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

Player in attendance alongside Kevin Nicholas (Chair). Player pleads guilty.

KN argued that any suspension should be a maximum of six-matches – rather than the eight the MRP were seeking.

It was emphasised that there were no injuries resulting from the incident and this should be considered in determining the length of suspension.

The game was ill-tempered, resulting in multiple sin-binning’s and two sending offs. DM’s actions should be viewed in context and he should receive a suspension of no more than six-matches.

Decision:

Guilty plea

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal must work from the starting point of six-matches for an offence which sees punching to the head.

This would apply to a minimum punching case and what we have here is an attack upon the first opponent who at the time was offering no aggression. It was an unprovoked attack which involved at least three punches aimed, one of which struck the head.

When the second opponent intervened, he was given the same treatment, with sustained blows thrown towards the head, one of which again clearly makes contact.

Whatever had gone on before cannot justify this type of conduct. Whilst the Tribunal recognise that there may have been a feeling of injustice arising from other incidents in the game, we must of course concentrate on the incident in hand.

In the current climate when so much is done to protect players from head contact, we should not forget that deliberate punching to the head is something which can have lasting consequences, which is why the RFL took the decision some years ago to increase the sanctions to rid the game of it. It has largely been successful, but this case was reverting back to the bad old days when “free-for-alls” were almost seen as part of the sport.

Whilst the Tribunal accept the fair way in which the case has been conducted and handled by the club, we are afraid it is an incident which is far more serious than a single punching case and merits a sterner sanction.

As a result, we feel the appropriate sanction is an eight-match suspension. the player will also be fined £250.

Suspension:

8 matches