Tribunal verdict on Super League trio following Challenge Cup quarter-final charges
Super League trio Josh Griffin, Kai O’Donnell and Zak Hardaker have been handed suspensions following Tuesday night’s disciplinary tribunal.
Griffin, who was sent off on the stroke of half-time of Hull’s 32-18 defeat to St Helens on Saturday, has been handed a seven-match ban.
The 33-year-old was found guilty of Grade F questioning the integrity of a match official. He pleaded guilty to the charge at the tribunal but challenged the grading, but the tribunal found the grading to be correct. He has also been fined £1,000.
Griffin will miss Hull’s upcoming matches against St Helens, Catalans, Hull KR, Castleford, Huddersfield, Wakefield and Wigan.
Meanwhile, Leigh forward O’Donnell has been banned for six matches after being sent off for a tip tackle in their 34-14 win at York on Sunday.
The tribunal found the 24-year-old guilty of a Grade F dangerous throw. O’Donnell pleaded guilty but challenged the grading but the tribunal found the grading to be correct. He has also been fined £1,000.
The Australian back-rower will miss Leigh’s next six games against Catalans, Hull KR, Castleford, Salford, St Helens and Wigan.
His team-mate Hardaker will miss Saturday’s trip to Catalans after receiving a one-match ban.
The 31-year-old was found guilty of a Grade C dangerous throw by the independent tribunal. Hardaker pleaded guilty but challenged the grading, however, the tribunal found the grading to be correct, with the club losing their £500 bond.
RFL confirm suspensions for Super League trio
The Rugby Football League shared the news from the tribunal via social media on Tuesday night, with the aforementioned trio receiving suspensions.
The RFL tweeted: “Kai O’Donnell (Leigh Leopards) has been suspended for six games after being found Guilty of a Grade F Dangerous throw by an Independent Tribunal. O’Donnell pleaded Guilty but challenged the grading however the grading was found to be correct. O’Donnell will also be fined £1,000.
“Zak Hardaker (Leigh Leopards) has been suspended for one game after being found guilty of a Grade C Dangerous Throw by an Independent Tribunal. Hardaker pleaded guilty but challenged the grading however the grading was found to be correct. Club lose £500 bond.
“Josh Griffin (Hull FC) has been suspended for seven matches after being found Guilty of a Grade F Questioning Integrity of a Match Official. Griffin pleaded Guilty but challenged the grading however the grading was found to be correct. Griffin will also pay a £1,000 fine.”
Other disciplinary news
Meanwhile, Wigan’s Kaide Ellis has been hit with a three-match ban following his red card for a headbutt on Stefan Ratchford in their 14-12 win over Warrington on Sunday.
The 26-year-old forward will miss Wigan’s next three games against Salford, Huddersfield and Wakefield.
Leigh will also be without prop Ava Seumanufagai and utility Tom Nisbet for this weekend’s trip to Perpignan.
Seumanufagai was given a one-match ban for a Grade B dangerous contact and Nisbet a two-match ban for Grade C dangerous contact: both from their win over York.
York forward and Scotland international Jack Teanby has also been hit with a one-match ban for a Grade C dangerous throw in their defeat to Leigh.
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