Oldham stunned by Lepori charge

Oldham say they are stunned by a decision of the RFL’s match review panel to charge Richard Lepori with a grade ‘B’ offence of making contact with a match official.

The Roughyeds full-back and referee Liam Moore ran into each other as Oldham were under heavy pressure against Swinton on Good Friday, defending their own line.

Lepori is one of nine Championship or League 1 players to be charged with a variety of offences.

He will be free to play at Featherstone on Sunday in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, but his case will then go before the disciplinary committee next Tuesday.

Oldham boss Scott Naylor said: “I’ve seen the incident on video and it was a pure accident.

“The referee positioned himself in the Oldham in-goal area while ‘Lippy’ was trying to defend a kick-through. The referee had his back to him and then he stepped into Richard’s path.

“The referee got himself into ‘Lippy’s’ line of movement – a pure accident.”