St Helens star fined over incident at Leeds Rhinos: Catalans chair punished after game v Castleford Tigers

The RFL today (Monday) announced Hastings has been docked £2,000, with £500 suspended until the end of the 2027 season, after being found in breach of operational rules relating to the sport’s Respect policy concerning behaviour standards and conduct bringing the game into disrepute and conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game.

This follows an incident with the match commissioner after Saints’ 24-16 Betfred Super League defeat at Leeds on June 4, which Hastings did not play in. A statement from the governing body said: “Hastings has been warned that any similar future misconduct could result in referral to an operational rules tribunal and potentially more severe penalties, including match suspensions.”

Guasch has been fined £3,000, with £1,500 suspended until the end of next season, following his conduct towards match officials after the 34-28 Super League win against Tigers in Perpignan on June 13. A statement said he was investigated under operational rules covering adherence to the Respect policy, behaviour standards and conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game. It added: “Guasch will also now not be permitted to enter the tunnel area at matches while match officials are present and has been warned any similar future misconduct could be referred to an operational rules tribunal and attract more severe sanction.”

Huddersfield Giants coach Jim Lenihan has been fined £1,000, with £500 suspended until the end of the 2027 season, following comments, including references to “unconscious bias”, made to the media after his side’s 30-14 home defeat by Bradford Bulls last month. The RFL said: “It was deemed a public criticism of referees and potentially a challenge to their integrity. Lenihan has been reminded of the Respect policy, which requires coaches to demonstrate leadership and refrain from publicly criticising officials and warned that any similar future misconduct could lead to a referral to an operational rules tribunal and potentially more severe sanctions, including touchline suspensions.”

Finally, Keighley Cougars have been fined £2,000, half suspended until the end of the 2028 season, after being found in breach of operational rules relating to compliance with RFL rules, altering fixtures without approval and conduct bringing the game into disrepute.

This follows the postponement of the Betfred Championship match at home to Dewsbury Rams on July 12 after the referee ruled Keighley’s pitch was unplayable. Cougars have also been ordered to reimburse Dewsbury’s travel costs of £575.