Catalans Dragons captain Benjamin Garcia is facing a hefty suspension after his red card at Hull KR on Friday night. The Dragons forward was sent off for punching after a scuffle that first involved Rovers skipper Elliot Minchella.
Garcia will now face an independent RFL tribunal on Tuesday night, charged with a Grade E striking offence. If found guilty, he faces a minimum six-game ban based on the charge and number of penalty points he would receive.
Garcia took action against Rovers counterpart Minchella, who first lashed out at Catalans player Ollie Partrington but missed with his connection. However, that didn’t stop Partington shoving Minchella back before Garcia stepped in, flooring the Rovers captain and then connecting with punches on other Rovers players in the scuffle that followed. He was sent off at the time and is now facing a big ban. Minchella has received no charge.
Elsewhere, Franck Maria has been charged with a Grade C Head Contact offence following his yellow card against the Robins. The Dragons star has received five penalty points and a fine.
Catalans prop Chris Satae has also been charged with a Grade A Other Contrary Behaviour and has received one penalty point. No further action has been taken, with Rovers running out 68-6 winners on the night – Catalans’ biggest ever Super League defeat.
There are three other charges across the competition, with Wigan hooker Kruise Leeming receiving a Grade B Head Contact charge for an incident against former club Huddersfield Giants. Leeming has been handed three penalty points.
St Helens player Mose Mbye has received a Grade B Dangerous Contact charge and also handed three points. Finally, Leigh prop forward Joe Ofahengaue has been charged for a Grade A late contact on passer offence. He has received one penalty point.
This week’s disciplinary charges in full:
- Franck Maria (Catalans Dragons) – Opposition: Hull KR – Grade C Head Contact – Fine – Penalty Points: 5 – Total Penalty Points: 5
- Benjamin Garcia (Catalans Dragons) – Opposition: Hull KR – Grade E Striking – Refer to Tribunal
- Chris Satae (Catalans Dragons) – Opposition: Hull KR – Grade A Contrary Behaviour – No further action – Penalty Points: 1 – Total Penalty Points: 1
- Kruise Leeming (Wigan Warriors) – Opposition: Huddersfield Giants – Grade B Head Contact – Fine – Penalty Points: 3 – Total Penalty Points: 3
- Moses Mbye (St Helens) – Opposition: Salford Red Devils – Grade B Dangerous Contact – Fine – Penalty Points: 3 – Total Penalty Points: 4
- Joe Ofahengaue (Leigh Leopards) – Opposition: Wakefield Trinity – Grade A Late contact on passer – No further action – Penalty Points: 1 – Total Penalty Points: 1
Total Penalty Points are Total Points in the previous 12 months.