Leeds left disgruntled by RFL as Sinfield is forced to submit plea and accept ban

Leeds Rhinos’ Gary Hetherington is the latest club chief to question the reliability of the Rugby Football League’s match review panel after England captain Kevin Sinfield was last night banned for two games.
Leeds Rhinos' captain Kevin Sinfield gets a consoling pat on the head from Zak Hardaker after being sent off against Castleford Tigers (Picture: Steve Riding).Leeds Rhinos' captain Kevin Sinfield gets a consoling pat on the head from Zak Hardaker after being sent off against Castleford Tigers (Picture: Steve Riding).
Leeds Rhinos' captain Kevin Sinfield gets a consoling pat on the head from Zak Hardaker after being sent off against Castleford Tigers (Picture: Steve Riding).

The Leeds stand-off, 33, was charged with a Grade C offence after head-butting Castleford Tigers’ full-back Luke Dorn towards the end of Thursday’s 24-24 draw.

It was Sinfield’s first red card in a 17-year professional career prompting his coach Brian McDermott to plead for leniency.

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However, the match review panel yesterday levelled a charge which carries a tariff of two to three games. Because of his previous record, Sinfield was able to submit an early guilty plea and receive the lesser ban, meaning he misses Friday’s trip to Salford and a home fixture with Bradford.

Crucially, though, he will be available for the Challenge Cup semi-final against Warrington Wolves on August 9, but Leeds chief executive Hetherington was still far from happy.

“Unfortunately this is another example of the pattern of inconsistency displayed by the Review Panel of the RFL,” he said. “Earlier this year, Hull KR’s Kris Welham was charged with an unprovoked head-butt and received a Grade A charge and no suspension.

“I fully appreciate the growing chorus of discontent throughout the game with the performance of the RFL in these matters.”

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Hull KR’s Travis Burns and Adam Walker plus Salford’s Josh Griffin and Tommy Lee have been charged with Grade A offences for punching during their fixture.

Lee has also been charged with making a Grade B shoulder charge.