Wigan Warriors star handed lengthy ban
Wigan Warriors half-back Harry Smith has been at an RFL Operational Rules Tribunal tonight to learn his fate following his red card in Saturday’s Super League match against Leeds Rhinos.
Smith had hit with a Grade E charge of ‘Striking’ with the Match Review Panel’s Minutes describing his actions as ‘Use of forearm to the head by tackler’.
A Grade E charge has a sanctioning guideline of three to five matches, however, the RFL can work outside these guidelines based on a number of factors including a player’s former disciplinary record.
Referee Liam Moore showed Harry Smith the red card in the 77th minute of Wigan’s 30-4 loss to Leeds Rhinos with the England international swinging his arm towards the face of the prone James Bentley.
Working for Sky Sports, Sam Tomkins described it as an “ugly” incident and argued that Smith would likely miss Magic Weekend where Wigan Warriors take on St Helens.
Should Harry Smith be banned at the lower end of the Grade E guidelines then he will miss games against St Helens, Hull FC and Catalans.
The Operational Rules Tribunal have now ruled on his fate.