Hull FC captain Luke Gale has received a five-match ban following a tribunal hearing.
The halfback was dismissed late in the first half of Hull’s defeat to St Helens last weekend for a studs-up challenge on Jonny Lomax.
The match review panel referred the incident to tribunal on a Grade D charge, typically bringing a suspension between three and five matches, while further charging Gale for picking the St Helens player up while injured and handing out a three-match ban.
That meant Gale was facing a suspension of up to eight matches, but he also appealed the latter offence.
Ahead of the tribunal hearing it was agreed between all parties that the two charges would bring a single sanction, instead of being considered separately.
And the final decision was to impose a ban of five matches on Gale, who joined Hull in the off-season from Leeds Rhinos.
It still means he will be absent for FC’s next four Super League fixtures, plus their Challenge Cup sixth-round tie, and can return for their trip to Wigan Warriors on 31 March.
Meanwhile, Huddersfield Giants hooker Danny Levi lost his appeal against a two-match ban for pulling at an injured player in their victory over Hull KR, and will miss their fixtures against Wigan this Thursday and Salford Red Devils the following week.
