It's a shame I can't add a picture I saw on Leeds Rhinos Suporters Group on FB. I know there's been some dodgy, some may say outrageous calls for us this year but that shot was high 100%. I love him as a player, he's been outstanding this year but he's dropped a fat one here and like other contributors have said there are things coming down the track legally which means the RFL are going to be hot on this. It's sad, it's bloomin annoying but I think it's probably the right call. I think an appeal would fail.

this Sucks and its getting beyond a joke.
Must be very tempting to say ' Sorry , cant get a team together' and bye the match as GH is saying it will cost as much to send a team as we will get gate money. Its a nailed on loss anyway with a weakened team and the Heads we win Tails you loose cause we are in France Refereeing, a blind eye turned to cheap shots and sloppy play the balls....Bet the other teams are 'Thrilled' at the likely prospect of 3 Dozen Catalan fans instead of 3000 rhinos through their turnstiles...

Gate receipts are split during the playoffs as they're classed as an RFL event as opposed to a home game for whichever club, so I would much prefer to play a side with no vocal backing than one backed by a big following.

Problem is - Catalans are used to it.

Struggling to see how it's a Lancashire bias given the constant bans we've had at Saints in addition to some of the nonsensical things they have tried to ban our plaers for (like Matty Lees being stood on a rugby pitch).

This ban is a really poor one IMO and should be appealed but a lot of the other Leeds bans have been from poor discipline, same as us. It won't surprise you to hear that the stream of bans in our direction has been cast by some Saints fans as a conspiracy to stop Saints winning it again, whilst you have your own conspiracy that the RFL are desperate to see us in the final! The truth is that neither is true, both sides have players who have struggled with discipline, but there are also some dreadful decisions coming out of the MRP - and this is one of them IMO.

It's a penalty for sure but never a ban.

Agree. It's shambolic for all.

At least the IMG survey had some references to the disciplinary process in it so hopefully they do recognise it as an issue with the fans. Of course whether the powers that be listen or do anything about it is another matter.

Well the appeal is going in, I hope sense prevails as that is not a precedent the game wants to be setting for what's worthy of a ban.

I agree mate.
I'm not sure there's a bias, whether it's county or clubs.
But the problem is the inconsistency of decisions.
We have had players get flattened, off the ball, i.e. Kasiano and Whare against Cats. Nothing. No case to answer.
And then we get a ban for this. If that's a ban, there will be 10 players banned from every game played.
It's ludicrous inconsistency.
I'm sure you've had the same.
And with the Tomkins incident not copping anything either, I'm convinced there is a desire within the RFL to try to help Catalans win the comp.
Remember how overboard the game went when they won the CC.
They want more of that publicity.
Cats definitely get away with more than any other team.

I don't think their is bias, it's just the inconsistencies that turn it in a joke

if there was no bias the bans would be equally distributed, surely?
werent we on 30% more bans than the next team when some journo did an analysis?