KNIGHTS centre Matt Garside has submitted an early guilty plea after being charged by Rugby Football League chiefs with punching in last week’s Championship match at Featherstone – and will not be banned.
Garside threw a few shots after seeing Rovers’ Nathan Chappell swing punches at York winger Tom Bush. Both Garside and Chappell were charged with grade ‘A’ offences, which carry a suspension of no games or one game, and the former’s early plea means that, under new rules this season, he will be given the minimum punishment.
Players can only submit early guilty pleas in order to get the minimum ban once in a season.
Meanwhile, Sheffield’s Misi Taulapapa was given a one-match suspension and £50 fine after pleading guilty to the grade ‘B’ offence of punching in the Championship fixture at York on May 10.
As reported by The Press, Knights hooker Jack Lee submitted an early guilty plea to a grade ‘A’ punching charge in the same incident. Both he and Sheffield’s Jack Howieson, who likewise admitted a grade ‘A’ punching offence, were yellow-carded but have escaped further punishment.
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