No joy on appeal for Hull KR's John Boudebza as four-match ban stands

Jamie Peacock, Hull KR’s head of rugby, said on Twitter he was “Stunned at what has just taken place...” after the ruling by the Rugby Football League.

Boudebza, a 25-year-old France international, was given the ban after being found guilty of making dangerous contact with Shenton during Sunday’s First Utility Super League round one game at the KC Lightstream Stadium.

Shenton suffered anterior ligament cruciate damage and will undergo surgery in the coming weeks.

Hull KR announced on Twitter: “The four-match ban for John Boudebza has been upheld at his appeal tonight.”

Reacting to confirmation of his punishment, Boudebza wrote: “More determined and hungrier!!!”

The RFL’s disciplinary panel went outside the normal guidelines for a grade B offence because of the severity of the injury caused.

Hull KR immediately lodged an appeal but the ban was upheld by a three-man panel sitting at the RFL headquarters in Leeds.

Castleford coach Daryl Powell openly criticised both the tackle and the grading while, at Tuesday’s hearing, Hull KR coach Chris Chester argued that his player had been unfairly judged in the media and that Boudebza’s challenge was neither careless nor reckless but simply unfortunate.

The panel was told that Boudebza, who sent a text message to Shenton wishing him well, was extremely remorseful for the injury caused.