Hull KR academy player involved in ‘testicle grab’ allegation

There seems to be a number of growing incidents where defenders are ‘attacking’ the private parts of opposition players.

Toulouse Olympique playmaker Corey Norman has been banned for eight games after being found guilty by an independent Operational Rules Tribunal of a Grade F charge of Other Contrary Behaviour in last Thursday’s Betfred Super League fixture at Warrington.

The player pleaded not guilty but Her Honour Justice Sarah Wright, who chaired the tribunal, explained that she and the two side members – both former players – were “entirely satisfied” that he had intentionally placed a hand between the buttocks of an opposing player.

The relevant excerpt of the ruling revealed that: “The footage of the incident shows a deliberate movement of Corey Norman’s left arm and hand over the top of Oliver Holmes and on to his buttocks. At no point does the footage show a grabbing of the shorts to push Oliver Holmes down as described by Corey Norman. The footage shows a deliberate placing of Corey Norman’s hands and fingers on the buttocks and coupled with the immediate complaint from Holmes, the reaction of his team-mate Danny Walker and the statement of Holmes to which we have measured regard we are entirely satisfied that this was an intentional placing of a hand between the buttocks of the opposing player and we find the charge proved.”

However, that was not the only case of foul play involving the nether regions over last weekend with Hull KR academy product Korben Pratt being referred for further investigation for a ‘testicle grab.’

The report was actually received from the referee just before half-time in an academy fixture against the Bradford Bulls.

It remains to be seen what the outcome of the investigation will be with the Disciplinary Match Review Panel and the Operations Tribunal determined to crack down on such issues.