Yesterday evening, the Disciplinary Tribunal of the Super League has imposed three games suspensions to the Catalans Dragons back row Zeb Taia, following his tackle on half scrum St Helens, Gareth O'Brien.

 

This harsh decision has upset the Executive Office Catalans Dragons was gathered as every Tuesday, when the decision fell.

 

Chairman Bernard Guasch: "It's a scandal, we are not treated like any other club and there are double standard in the decisions of the RFL when it comes to our players or players from other English clubs ! Why ?"

 

Indeed, in the previous weeks and months, similar actions by players from other clubs received another treatment and none of the players involved in the same tackles or shoulder charges have been suspended.

 

Catalans' chairman affected by these unjust decisions has requested internal club services to compare similar actions in recent months and especially to analyze the decisions of the disciplinary tribunal.

 

It appears that on Scruton's (Bradford) tackle on O'Brien (Castleford), Taylor (Wigan) on O'Brien (St Helens) or Ellis (Hull FC) on Robinson (Huddersfield), which are all similar to Zeb Taia's one last Saturday were considered the worst in Grade B or Grade A and all lead to no game suspension for the players involved. Saturday, Zeb Taia received a Grade C and sentenced yesterday to three games suspensions.

 

"Enough is enough! We hold the evidences with the video footages and sanctions that have ensued. I warned that if the lack of consistency in the decisions of referees or Disciplinary Committee continued, I ask the opinion of external people and medias. I can't let go these differences of treatment which significantly disadvantage us compared to other clubs, "continued the Catalans' Chairman.

 

Catalans Dragons CEO, Christophe Jouffret added back this morning: "Our team is going through a difficult period in sports because of the many injuries plaguing our team every week. These heavy suspensions penalize us even more and it is difficult to explain to our sponsors and supporters inconsistent decisions of the disciplinary tribunal against each other. It's frustrating and sad to fight to maintain a French club at the highest level and trying to make the french rugby league up when we feel penalized inconsistently compared to others. "

 

Laurent Frayssinous, Catalans' coach goes in the same direction: "We are judged on comments and not on facts. Some Super League coaches afford to put pressure on the RFL and apparently, they are heard and decisions are always the consequences of their words. It's very frustrating to see that we are not judged in the same way on similar facts."

 

Catalans' Chairman concluded : "We have already a knee on the ground by our performances on the field, english authorities conclude to killing us. All club leaders, sponsors, supporters, and especially the players are already weakened and mentally recentent a huge frustration. It takes me to ask myself the question of where all this will lead our club, and why?? "

 

Catalans Dragons will appeal this decision and hopes that his lawyer will convince the court on appeal from the exageration of the first penalty decision. Otherwise the Dragons would be deprived of their player of the Cook Islands for the trip to Bradford,  Wigan's receipt and the trip to Leeds.