Hull FC were issued three cards in last Thursday’s Hull derby.
Hull FC have been handed a triple blow ahead of Friday’s round-two match at Warrington Wolves. The Black and Whites saw Franklin Pele and Ligi Sao sent off in last Thursday’s derby defeat and Herman Ese’ese sin-binned, with all three players dealt further punishments by the RFL’s Match Review Panel this Monday afternoon.
Pele has been handed the biggest repercussion, with the prop forward receiving a Grade E head contact charge for his challenge on Elliot Minchella. He will face an independent tribunal later this week with the grade, which falls into the forceful/dangerous section of the RFL’s new head contact guidelines, carrying a four-to-six-game suspension.
Sao was charged with Grade D ‘Other Contrary Behaviour’ for striking and was given a three-match suspension and a £250 fine. After making contact with his own head, the forward lashed out at Rovers hooker Matt Parcell with his knee, earning the latter a one-game suspension.
Chris Davidson, a former half-back for Hull FC, passes away
Ese’ese was charged with a Grade D head contact and received a £250 fine in addition to a two-game suspension. According to Hull Live’s report this morning, Ese’ese was given a yellow card on Thursday night for low-force collision, but the Match Review Panel vehemently disagreed with Liam Moore, the on-field official, and Chris Kendall, the video official. The Grade D charge of the MRP reveals mitigating considerations or forceful/dangerous contact, with the two parties clearly differing in their interpretations.
In addition, Jayden Okunbor received a Grade B dangerous contact charge for hitting the passer too late. The back-rower has been fined £250 instead of receiving a ban, though.
Liam Watts, meanwhile, will spend a considerable amount of time on the sidelines following his Grade E charge for the tackle that resulted in his dismissal during Super League’s inaugural weekend. The Castleford Tigers forward’s contentious dismissal contributed to his team’s loss to Wigan.
The choice was a hot topic of discussion following the match, and it will likely generate more discussion now that Watts may miss four to six games if found guilty of the allegation. Watts would probably be suspended at the upper end of the threshold due to his disciplinary history.
Harry Smith, who was charged for the tip tackle that resulted in his sin binned in the same game, has been cleared to participate in the World Club Challenge. There will be no suspension for the England halfback who was charged with a Grade B offence; instead, he has merely been fined.
Nine bans have been issued in all, including the suspensions of Warrington forward Jordan Crowther, Salford Red Devils’ Ryan Brierley, Castleford’s Charbel Tasipale, and Leigh Leopards’ Tom Amone and Ricky Leutele. A tribunal is also referenced to Michael McIllorum.
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