They deemed it worthy of a ban, even if it is soft. An appeal takes it to a 2 game ban, guaranteed.

Don't do it Leeds.

I can't believe that has led to a ban. Players missing play-off games for things like that is an absolute disgrace.

Didn't even lead to a penalty in the game. Non of the Cas players made a fuss and rightly so. The committee appears to be a group with too much time on their hands and far too much power. This is the same lot who let Kasiano off for belting Dywer round the chops last week. Something stinks rotten.

Just emailed the RFL explaining that I've no longer any interest in purchasing tickets for the world cup as I'll be more than glad to put to bed a season that's been policed appallingly. They can shove it up their collective ars£ as far as I'm concerned. As I've explained to them, there are better things to splash out on than a sport run like this.

I think that little c*nt Phil Clarke is behind all this. After his little outburst I can see him having his 2 penneth with the panel or mates of mates of them in some shape or form! Independent committee my backside (!) Its a total screw job

Why not ? Take the 2nd game in pre season

Good shout I’ll ask for a refund on mine and tell them I won’t be getting anymore.

Might as well do it and risk it, either gets rescinded, gets the same or get an additional. Which could be used in a friendly if we are beaten, if not, we crack on.

Its very likely that member clubs of the RFL (and SL) will be explicitly barred from taking legal action against the governing bodies. That's standard across most sporting codes.

I think we should appeal and risk an extension to the ban. I'd make a big song and dance about it if the outcome is negative.

I also hope there's a behind-the-scenes push to get the whole system torn up and rebuilt for next year. If that isn't forthcoming I'd go public and take a fine in the process. The bans this year are damaging the product, not protecting the game from future litigation (not sure how Martin's previous ridiculous ban would have caused the Salford player anything except embarrassment) and if anything causing extra workload for players not being banned.

The MRP has certainly put myself off buying my season ticket, I will wait until i see who we are missing before getting a ticket! What really stinks is they should have Kasiano Whare missing, and Rat Boy who should be banned for the body check all available!

The whole system stinks and while there is an overall level of incompetence there is a definite Lancashire bias in some of the decision making even if this is at best subconscious. Get Cullen and co in front of the beloved sky panel and get them to explain some of the decisions such as Martin ban vs Kasiano no ban. Whoever wins the 2 play off games this week will undoubtedly lose players for the final and then no bans for the grand final itself. Clearly the preferred outcome is Wigan vs Saints with a win for the pie eaters. Time to call it out publically and risk the backlash by Hethrington. I understand Myler tried to contact Clarke who wouldnt take the call like the weasel he is hiding behind his microphone. The game is been ruined and it is just sad to see.

I said at the start of this season that I could understand the need to clamp down on head high shots, There are number of legal claims both in Union and League coming down the track. Potentially both codes could have to pay out large sums of money to ex players for health issues relating to head high blows. However i remarked that the games laws should be applied consistently and fairly, obviously that hasn’t happened. It’s been a fiasco from day one. Some bans have been too harsh and others have been too lenient and scores of incidents have remained unpunished.
It’s been an absolute farce. Looking ahead to the Saint’s and Wigan matches, will they be subject to the same standard as the Martin incident.
I think we all know the answer to that question.

To not appeal would be to accept the decision as being OK and being compliant with the system

It's a shame I can't add a picture I saw on Leeds Rhinos Suporters Group on FB. I know there's been some dodgy, some may say outrageous calls for us this year but that shot was high 100%. I love him as a player, he's been outstanding this year but he's dropped a fat one here and like other contributors have said there are things coming down the track legally which means the RFL are going to be hot on this. It's sad, it's bloomin annoying but I think it's probably the right call. I think an appeal would fail.

this Sucks and its getting beyond a joke.
Must be very tempting to say ' Sorry , cant get a team together' and bye the match as GH is saying it will cost as much to send a team as we will get gate money. Its a nailed on loss anyway with a weakened team and the Heads we win Tails you loose cause we are in France Refereeing, a blind eye turned to cheap shots and sloppy play the balls....Bet the other teams are 'Thrilled' at the likely prospect of 3 Dozen Catalan fans instead of 3000 rhinos through their turnstiles...