Rugby league player's huge ban for attacking rival's testicles
English rugby league star George Flanagan has been hit with a massive ban and a fine after being found guilty of attacking an opponent's testicles for the second time in 18 months.
Flanagan was charged by the Rugby Football League's match review panel with a Grade F offence - the most serious grading available.
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It stemmed from an incident in the 32nd minute of the Bulls' 41-16 Challenge Cup second round defeat at Featherstone on March 21.
Flanagan unsuccessfully denied the charge, which was referred to a disciplinary tribunal.
Following a hearing in Leeds which lasted more than three hours, he was suspended and also fined Stg250 ($A450).
Bradford coach John Kear said he was shocked his player had even been charged despite video replays showing Flanagan’s hand in the region of Bussey’s genitals.
The coach suggested that the footage of the incident was inconclusive and insisted that Flanagan's chequered disciplinary history had counted against him when the penalty was handed down.
“I have seen the incident on numerous occasions, and I am mystified,” Kear said last week.
“I honestly don’t believe you trial people by media. You don’t find people guilty before they have had a chance to defend themselves.”
This is not the first time the 34-year-old has been rubbed out of action for the same offence.
Flanagan was banned for eight matches and fined Stg250 ($A450) for a similar incident in August 2019, which ultimately ended his season.
On that occasion he pleaded guilty.
Brutal backlash over latest offence
The latest incident involving the Bradford hooker was met with outrage on social media, with some fans saying he should be sacked for a second offence.
Why does George flanagan have this obsession with grabbing other players balls during a tackle think he needs to stop being a dirty player and needs to concentrate on the game instead for what he's paid for
— Iron 20 (@Hell3350) March 31, 2021
The guy never learns! He's a liability! @OfficialBullsRL should cut their losses and sack him
— Rachel Clayton (@rachelclayton84) March 30, 2021
Grotty play from a grotty little player. Deserves his ban and ostracising from the sport.
— John Denton (@JohnDentonPhoto) March 30, 2021
Good, no place in our game for behaviour like this. @OfficialBullsRL
— stephen barlow (@wolrab316) March 31, 2021
Dirty horrible bastard. George Flanagan: Bradford Bulls hooker gets 10-game ban for 'attacking an opponent's testicles' https://t.co/Gh7yXCG5nn
— LukassFunk™ (@LukassFunk) March 31, 2021
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