Hull and Leigh duo referred to tribunal as Wigan forward receives suspension for headbutt

Josh McAllister
Kai O'Donnell, SWPix.

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Hull’s Josh Griffin and Leigh forward Kai O’Donnell have been referred to tribunal for respective charges from the match review panel following the Challenge Cup quarter-finals. 

The pair have both been hit with Grade F charges.

Griffin, 33, was sent off against St Helens on Saturday at the MKM Stadium and has been referred to tribunal for questioning integrity of match official.

24-year-old forward O’Donnell was sent off for a horrific tackle on fellow Australian and York hooker Josh Daley on Sunday during their Challenge Cup tie at the LNER Community Stadium. 

Meanwhile, following his red card for a headbutt on Warrington captain Stefan Ratchford, Wigan’s Kaide Ellis has been hit with a three-match ban following a Grade D charge.

Named at loose forward by head coach Matt Peet, the 26-year-old was sent off inside the opening seven minutes at the DW Stadium. Despite their disadvantage, Wigan managed to claim their spot in the semi-finals of the prestigious competition and will face Hull KR at Headingley Stadium on Sunday, June 23.

It’s a quadruple blow for Adrian Lam’s Leopards, with Ava Seumanufagai, Zak Hardaker and Tom Nisbet all also hit with suspensions. 

Both Seumanufagai, 32, and Hardaker, 31, have been suspended for one match for Grade B dangerous contact and Grade C dangerous throw respectively.

Nisbet, 23, will miss games against Catalans and Hull KR for Grade C dangerous contact.

York forward and Scotland international Jack Teanby has also been hit with a one-match ban.

Match review panel minutes including Kai O’Donnell

Josh Griffin (Hull FC) – Grade F Questioning Integrity of Match Official – Refer to Tribunal

Kai O’Donnell (Leigh Leopards) – Grade F Dangerous Throw – Refer to Tribunal

Kaide Ellis (Wigan Warriors) – Grade D Headbutt – 3 Match Penalty Notice & £250 fine

Elliott Minchella (Hull KR) – Grade A High Tackle – Not Applicable

Ollie Partington (Salford Red Devils) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – Not Applicable

Alex Walmsley (St Helens) – Grade B High Tackle – £250 fine

Joe Cator (Hull FC) – Grade B Other Contrary Behaviour – £250 fine

Zak Hardaker (Leigh Leopards) – Grade C Dangerous Throw – 1 Match Penalty Notice

Ava Seumanufagai (Leigh Leopards) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice

Tom Nisbett (Leigh Leopards) – Grade C Dangerous Contact – 2 Match Penalty Notice

Jack Teanby (York Knights) – Grade C Dangerous Throw – 1 Match Penalty Notice

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