Wigan prop Tony Clubb has been handed an eight-game ban by the Rugby Football League’s disciplinary panel after being found guilty of 'unacceptable language based on national or ethnic origin' towards Hull FC’s Andre Savelio: but an independent tribunal has ruled that they are satisfied he is not a racist.
Savelio made the accusation against Clubb during Thursday’s meeting between the two sides, and the forward subsequently received a Grade F charge of unacceptable language/abuse based on national or ethnic origin.
The 33-year-old attended a hearing on Tuesday night to answer the charge, and was subsequently found guilty after Savelio alleged he had been called a “stupid Polynesian - - - - ” by Clubb in the 15th minute of the match on Thursday.
However, Clubb’s eight-game ban is the lowest possible sanction a Grade F charge carries, with Judge Guy Kearl QC, who chaired the tribunal, saying they were satisfied Clubb is not a racist, more the language was used in the ‘heat of the moment’.
“We have considered the evidence of both players and the circumstances surrounding the allegation and find that we are reasonably satisfied, taking into account the seriousness of the charge, that the words were said, albeit in the heat of the moment, but nevertheless were said,” Kearl said.
“They do constitute unacceptable language based on [a player’s] racial and ethnic origin and therefore we find that this was serious misconduct which has brought the game into disrepute.
“On the other hand we have considered the character references placed before us by Wigan Warriors from those who know [Tony Clubb] well at the club. We do not find that he is a racist, simply that on this occasion he used unacceptable language in the heat of the moment.
“We have therefore reduced the penalty to take account of his character and good disciplinary record to a suspension for eight matches and a £500 fine.”
Clubb was suspended by Wigan in the aftermath of the incident, and his future at the club now seems uncertain after being found guilty of racial abuse, just hours after the sport took part in a social media blackout to tackle discrimination and online abuse.
