Hull FC skipper Luke Gale was sent off during the first half of the defeat to St Helens for catching Jonny Lomax on the knee with his studs after the stand-off had kicked the ball; disciplinary tribunal decided to impose a five-match suspension
Wednesday 23 February 2022 06:58, UK
Luke Gale had been suspended for five matches following his red card during the 38-6 Betfred Super League defeat to St Helens.
The Hull FC captain was sent off in the first half of last Saturday's match at the MKM Stadium for catching Jonny Lomax on the knee with his studs after the Saints stand-off had kicked the ball.
The challenge was referred to an independent disciplinary tribunal on a Grade D charge, meaning a suspension of between three and five matches.
Gale also faced a charge for picking up Lomax while he was down on the ground injured in the aftermath, and had been given a three-match ban, which the player contested.
In announcing the verdict, the tribunal confirmed that prior to the hearing, all parties had agreed there would be a single sanction covering both charges.
A statement issued on Tuesday evening read: "Following pleas of mitigation from Gale and the club, the tribunal decided to impose a five-match suspension."
Gale was the fourth player to be sent off in Super League up to that point in 2022 and his dismissal came in a match which saw team-mate Connor Wynne sent to the sin-bin too for a dangerous tackle by referee Chris Kendall.
Meanwhile, Huddersfield Giants hooker Danny Levi was unsuccessful in appealing against the Grace C rating of an offence, pulling an injured player, during their 26-12 win at home to Hull Kingston Rovers and now faces a two-match ban.
Giants half-back Theo Fages had already accepted a one-match penalty notice for dangerous contact, while Castleford Tigers' George Lawler accepted a one-game suspension for a shoulder charge.
Toulouse Olympique will also be without Joseph Paulo for two matches after the back-row accepted a Grace B dangerous contact charge.
