RFL to look into claims Keighley's Josh Lynam suffered 'ear bite' in mass brawl
Monday 27 February 2017 16:02, UK
The Rugby Football League has opened an investigation after Keighley claimed Josh Lynam had his ear bitten and another suffered a broken jaw against Fryston in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.
The Kingstone Press League 1 club's 50-32 win on Sunday was marred by a brawl which broke out in the second half of the match at Featherstone's Big Fellas Stadium.
According to the Cougars, an exchange between Davey Dixon (Keighley) and Adam Rothwell (Fryston) boiled over and sparked a series of fights, which led to both players being sin-binned while Andy Speake (Fryston) and Emmerson Whittel (Keighley) were sent off.
While it is claimed Lynam's ear was bitten, Keighley also say Whittel sustained a broken jaw and the club has lodged a formal complaint about the manner in which their players and staff were treated on arrival at the ground.
A statement from Keighley said: "The club has received official confirmation from the RFL that an investigation is taking place into the brawl that marred an otherwise enthralling cup tie.
"Emmerson Whittel sustained a broken jaw and we believe as a club that the way he was man handled by numerous Fryston players is not in the spirit of the game.
"The club have also requested that the ear bite on Josh Lynam is reviewed thoroughly by the RFL.
"Finally, the club have also lodged a formal complaint in regards to the manner our players and staff were treated upon arrival."
An RFL spokesman confirmed that the league's operations team has started gathering evidence and reports into off-field incidents while the match-review panel will consider any foul play at its weekly meeting on Thursday.
