Quote: El Diablo "Not commenting on the incident in question, which I haven't seen, and the testimony certainly reflects attention to detail in preparation by Wigan, but I didn't find that a very satisfactory defence to a charge of dangerous contact.
Surely the panel's job is to decide whether the contact was dangerous or not? If it was, then the explanation that "I was coached that way, and I didn't want him to offload" is not a defence at all.
Not, I hasten to add, that I'm saying there was dangerous contact in this instance or any other, just an observation on a point of principle.'"
It disproves intent to foul.
After that what you're left with is an accident.
Accidental contact doesn't always acquit a player, especially if it still looks like a bit of reckless play - but unlike you, the panel did see the incident, and clearly decided that enough was enough. I sincerely doubt the whole thing hinged on this selected bit of defence evidence.