Gareth Hock facing lengthy ban after RFL charge

Former England forward Gareth Hock is facing a lengthy ban after being charged with making deliberate contact with a referee for the fourth time in his career.

The 32-year-old former Wigan second rower is accused of making deliberate or reckless physical contact with a match official during the Centurions' 48-6 win over Swinton in a Kingstone Press Championship match at Heywood Road last Sunday.

Hock has been charged by the Rugby Football League's match-review panel with a grade D offence which carries a ban of between three and five games and his previous record may count against him.

Two years ago, while playing for Salford, he was banned for seven matches after coming into contact with referee Matt Thomason, who was knocked to the ground following the collision.

In 2013, during a loan spell with Widnes, he was banned for four games for making deliberate contact with referee George Stokes and in 2008, while playing for Wigan, he was given a five-match ban after being found guilty of pushing referee Ian Smith.

Hock is also facing a separate grade D charge of punching after being sent off for the offence in the game against Swinton.

Two other Leigh players, Jamie Acton and captain Micky Higham, will also appear in front of an RFL disciplinary tribunal charged with grade D offences arising from the same match.

Hock and Acton both apologised for their conduct in a joint statement issued by their club.

"Despite the provocation that we both received at that game, we are both experienced and professional rugby league players and we both acknowledge that we should not react in the way that we did," the statement said.

"We both apologise unreservedly to the Leigh Centurions club, its supporters and to any members of the general public who were offended by our actions.

"We take our responsibilities as professional rugby league players and role models extremely seriously and we are both aware that the Leigh Centurions club and the game as a whole is family orientated and appeals to all members of the community.

"Our conduct on that day could have seriously harmed the reputation of the club and the game as a whole and we are both deeply sorry and shall endeavour to ensure that in future we represent the club and the game in the proper manner."