If they are biased then it's about time things went against Leeds

We should tell the RFL that due to injuries we are unable to fulfil the fixture. See how the Sky boss react to that…

I think they’re more incompetent than bias.

I’m not sure how many frivolous additional bans there’s been, but I think we’ve only won one appeal all year. I’m not sure how much other teams have contested bans. But for the the whole idea of adding bans after one has been given out is mad. Surely there should be a right to appeal and if you can point to even a shred of mitigation (in this case the player falling into the tackle) then it isn’t frivolous.

You can say it’s not strong enough evidence to overturn.

But it’s not frivolous.

I also agree with the idea we should only be banning acts of foul play, not accidents. I’m pretty sure Union has a wording of ‘It is a rugby incident’ when someone’s head just ends up the wrong place or a player falls into the tackle. Maybe we need something similar.

Genuinely shocked at the extra match. What a mess.

I said it was guaranteed to be increased. Goldfish learn quicker!

In football iirc correctly the ‘frivolous’ thing was brought in because clubs were appealing, knowing an appeal would delay a player missing a game and sometime allow them to appear in a key fixture they would missed had they just taken the ban..
They were calculated appeals , with little chance of actual success, but tactically delayed a suspension.

That isn’t happening here, the clubs have nothing to gain from appealing , and sure they should be free to do so without fear of further penalty.

*keegan mode on... I would bloody love it if we go there and...

Sadly, I'm losing interest in our game.
Hardcore fans are becoming disillusioned.
Instead of trying to attract new fans, unfortunately the game is doing the opposite.
And with belts tightening everywhere in the current climate, I fear a part-time future.

We (Saints) have been on the receiving end of some ridiculous bans but Martin's takes the biscuit .
A slightly careless tackle , which doesn't even result in a sin bin on the day, ends up as 2 game ban.
The MRP is making a mockery of the game .

Dick.

How on earth can it be frivolous when there was no intent.
It`s not even clumsy as its more of a slap in a downward motion which catches Mellor on his nose.
No malice and no intent it happens in all ages of rugby from 10 year olds upwards.
It is such a bad decision that they should be made to justify it compared to the incidents by Kasiano and Tomkins.
I know it`s a stupid idea but we should just throw the game and refuse to tackle any of their players in case they get banned.
Lets see what the RFL come up with then.

Only as daft a comment as someone claiming it's bias.

Perfectly worded and sums it all up..

Best thing we can do now is make this an incentive/ reason to turn over Catalans and stick 2 fingers up to the RFL. I'd love to know what Rohan Smith thought of this shambles!! F÷@k you RFL.

It’s farcical. Big game with a SKY audience. Everyone wants to see the best players in a competitive game. Martin on a goal kicking record run too, which adds interest. And now look ….! We need a breakaway league, before there’s no fans left……

Agree completely. The MRP is, in effect, saying under no circumstances challenge our decisions. That's not the action of a bona fide body confident in its decision making process or satisfied that those decisions are made via a sound process and are evidence based and can be held up to scrutiny. Surely all clubs can see that next time it could be them. Joint representation may be the catalyst for changing this utter shambles.

Well thats me pretty much done as a paying supporter, been to 1 game this year doubt i’l
Go next year, I had my eye on some world cup games but F***the RFL. also my sky sports deal is up this month won’t renew, get the NFL season pass most of my other sports fix are on Eurosport

Think it`s more incompetence than bias mate.
Like some have said the bans Bentley, Tetavano and Newman received were justified.
The last 2 bans Martin`s received are a joke compared to others.

I just don’t see how this all gets sorted out to the satisfaction of everyone?

They won’t be allowed to do it as no doubt it’s in the operational rules that the member clubs cannot take such action, BUT if they could/did, I’m sure that if the clubs ‘lawyered up’ and took this whole system to a ‘proper’ court as opposed to this Kangaroo court we currently have that they would be able to tie the RFL/MRP in knots and show this process to be the farce it is.

The only other option to bring about change would be if the players got together and went on strike next season, but again that’s not going to happen either.

So if the clubs/law makers cannot bring about sensible change through negotiations/meetings in the close season, I fear we are stuck with this and just counting down the days until the players are either padded up and helmeted like in the NFL or are wearing tags on their shorts and ‘tackling’ is removed from the game.

No one minds hefty bans for serious foul play but no way accidental contact that has always been a consequence of playing the game warrants the kind of bans we have seen this season.

A players union would be useful. You look at most major sports this is where most change comes from. There are examples of recent ‘lock outs’ in the likes of the NBA. And the NFL had them change off-season practices to prevent injuries I believe.

The NRL has a strong players union, and it has lead to some positives such as less fixtures. Granted it’s probably had a negative impact on internationals but the point is they have enough power to force change. To my knowledge we’ve never had one in SL. I vaguely remember Garreth Carvell attempting to set one up?

Do either the match review panel (or Leeds for that matter) ever release the basis or evidence of the appeal? I think it would be easy to deem whether it fits the wording of ‘frivolous’.

Wigan fan here

John Bateman was penalised for a high tackle last Friday that wasn’t much different to Rhyse Martins . Just poorly timed with no intent , and he’s not been banned ( and rightly so ) . I don’t see the difference, and that’s what winds fans up.

Our sport is a pale shadow of its former self. The governing body is slowly strangling RL towards a slow painful death.

Good luck at Catalan ! You’ll probably need some to be fair

Wigan fan here said early on if Martin appeals he would definitely get the ban removed, this is a outrageous decision 2 games for a accidental foul.

Fair play to all fans from different clubs acknowledging that the Martin ban is ridiculous. To be fair its is a system that is not fit for purpose and impacting all team. The grand final for whoever gets there may be decided by the lottery of the MRP the monday before the game. Our whole game is currently a mess. We have a chief excecutive standing down plus another board member.
There is a lack of direction and leadership at all levels within the RFL. We potentially have a great product that is being turned into touch and pass or a game of tag!

Yeh, this one stinks.

We've copped plenty of deserved bans this season for stupid indiscipline.
Bentley & Tetevano have (quite rightly) been given longer bans because of a poor disciplinary record.
Hopefully, based on the last few weeks, this has had the desired effect and they have learned.

We've also made stupid appeals - Newman was a deserved ban and extension on appeal.

But this one is ridiculous.
Martin is not a dirty player.
It's an accidental collision.

Thats where the MRP are getting it wrong.
There's a huge difference between intent and accidental.

So is that Fusitua, Newman, Handley, Walker, and Martin missing?
Along with probably Austin and Dwyer.