An English rugby league player has been blasted at the judiciary and slapped with a 10-game ban after “attacking an opponent’s testicles” for the second time in 18 months.
Bradford hooker George Flanagan remarkably pleaded not guilty after being charged by the Rugby Football League’s match review panel with a Grade F offence – the most serious grading available.
Watch the grubby act in the video above
The 34-year-old forward has been branded a “grub” following his brazen attack on Featherstone’s Jack Bussey.
The incident happened in the 32nd minute of the Bulls’ 41-16 Challenge Cup second round tie defeat at Featherstone on March 21.
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.
“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.”
Flanagan unsuccessfully denied the charge, which was referred to a disciplinary tribunal, and after a hearing in Leeds which lasted more than three hours.
Flanagan was also fined $450, the same amount he copped for a similar incident against the Toronto Wolfpack in August 2019 which ended his season.
On that occasion he pleaded guilty and received an eight-match suspension.
– with AAP