Ex-Warrington Wolves forward Zane Musgrove handed mammoth ban for unacceptable language related to disability

[Total Rugby League]

OLDHAM forward Zane Musgrove has been suspended for eight matches after pleading guilty to the use of unacceptable language following the Betfred Challenge Cup Semi...

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[jroyales]

Are there grounds for an appeal? I don't know what he said but there have been some horrific incidents that have been dealt with very lightly.

[Bedford Roughyed]

16 hours ago, jroyales said:

Are there grounds for an appeal? I don't know what he said but there have been some horrific incidents that have been dealt with very lightly.

He plead guilty so not sure what he can appeal?

[sheddingswasus]

6 minutes ago, Bedford Roughyed said:

He plead guilty so not sure what he can appeal?

 

6 minutes ago, Bedford Roughyed said:

He plead guilty so not sure what he can appeal?

The severity of the ban maybe? 

[Bedford Roughyed]

2 hours ago, sheddingswasus said:

 

The severity of the ban maybe? 

I would imagine the potential length of ban was known before the guilty plea? 

[Jimmy DoNut]

Could explain why Moran & Farnworth have been kept match-fit on dual-reg. They'll probably come back in to the reckoning now (Farnworth already did at Toulouse).

[sheddingswasus]

11 minutes ago, Jimmy DoNut said:

Could explain why Moran & Farnworth have been kept match-fit on dual-reg. They'll probably come back in to the reckoning now (Farnworth already did at Toulouse).

The Widnes forum hinted that Lawton was due to  sign but was on hold because of a potential suspension at Oldham. That was last week sometime 

[RoughyedsFan_merged]

There was rumours of what type of comment he made so I don't think the ban length is unexpected really. He attended an inclusivity course which gives you an indication.

[The Phantom Horseman]

8 minutes ago, RoughyedsFan_merged said:

There was rumours of what type of comment he made so I don't think the ban length is unexpected really. He attended an inclusivity course which gives you an indication.

Yes, any verbal abuse based on race, colour, religion, gender, sexual preference, disability, national or ethnic origin attracts a Grade E designation, an automatic referral to tribunal and a minimum ban of six games.

In relation to other similar incidents it's pretty much in line with others eg another Warrington player Josh Maguire  was found guilty twice of similar charges (insults relating to disability) and received a 7-game ban the first time and a 12-game ban on the second occasion.

Oldham would presumably have been aware of the likelihood of a large ban when they signed Musgrove as the incident occurred 11 days before Warrington released him.

[Ex-scrumhalf]

Huge blow especially when you look at punishments handed out to other players a couple of weeks ago for similar offences

[The Grinder]

1 hour ago, Ex-scrumhalf said:

Huge blow especially when you look at punishments handed out to other players a couple of weeks ago for similar offences

Stupid question on my part I suspect, but which similar offences?

[Anita Bath]

His track record goes back to his time in the NRL.

What you see is what you get.

[Ex-scrumhalf]

No doubt I am going to be shown to be wrong but I seem recall that roughly 2 or 3 weeks ago there were about half a dozen players charged with use of inappropriate language. All were found guilty and, I think, suspended for 2 games with fines suspended until the end of the season. On that basis i thought Musgrave would get a similar sentence. Don't know the full details and I suppose these others could refer to language towards an official. Does anyone else remember this or am I dreaming.

[The Phantom Horseman]

11 hours ago, Ex-scrumhalf said:

No doubt I am going to be shown to be wrong but I seem recall that roughly 2 or 3 weeks ago there were about half a dozen players charged with use of inappropriate language. All were found guilty and, I think, suspended for 2 games with fines suspended until the end of the season. On that basis i thought Musgrave would get a similar sentence. Don't know the full details and I suppose these others could refer to language towards an official. Does anyone else remember this or am I dreaming.

I can't find any examples of multiple players being charged with something like that in the last few weeks and receiving short bans (although Keighley's Zac Farrell got a 1-game ban, 5 penalty points and a fine this week), but in any case there isn't an offence of using "inappropriate language".

What I suspect you might be referring to are cases of "foul and abusive language", which have an entry point of Grade A to Grade B for less serious instances, rising to Grade C.

Cases concerning "Verbal abuse based on race, colour, religion, gender, sexual preference, disability, national or ethnic origin" - in other words, use of discriminatory language - can only be charged as a Grade E offence, with a minimum six-game ban the outcome for anyone found guilty. This is in line with the governing bodies of most professional sports, for instance discriminatory language will result in a  minimum six-game ban in all levels of football including grass roots and youth.

Unfortunately most RL fans don't bother to familiarise themselves with the gradings or sanctioning guidelines which is why forums are filled with people whining about "why did our player get a big ban for this when another player didn't get a big ban for that?" posts.

Edited June 27 by The Phantom Horseman