IT’S NUT CLEAR!

Smith wants rule clarification after duo get bans for grabbing ‘privates of opponents’

TONY SMITH wants the RFL to clarify its rules after Tom Lineham and Jordan Abdull became the latest players banned for grabbing opponents’ privates.

Warrington winger Lineham was last night handed an eight-match suspension and Hull KR halfback Abdull two after both being found guilty of “other contrary behaviour”.

It follows St Helens winger Tommy Makinson receiving a five-match ban for the same offence last month.

Hull KR boss Smith says that case has changed how the sport’s di sciplinar y process handles the sensitive issue.

Smith (left) said: “A month a ago, or prior to Makinson’s incid incident, it was different. When somebody goes between the legs to try and make a tackle, sometimes it gets picked up by referees and sometimes it doesn’t.

“The whole thing has changed now because of what happened with Tommy.

“It’s brought something to light that now it’s deemed something else. I just think the league needs to put something out there to say, ‘ Hey listen, if you go between somebody’s legs, you run the risk of g going to the judiciary’. ciary’.

“It’s topical ical at the moment because we’ve e’ve seen a couple of incidents. . I just think it’s changed how we look at how people tackle ckle and what they grab hold of by mistake.”

Speaking ng before Abdull’s hearing by video link last night ght ,

Smith said aid he believed ed his case – involving

St Helens f o r wa r d

James Bentley ntley

– was completely mpletely accidental. al. Abdull p leaded guil ty, but successfully appealed the severity of his charge. Smith added: “Accidents have happened over the years where people have tried to grab a pair of shorts, or the inner thigh, to make a tackle. That’s what Jordan was doing. “Sometimes that goes astray and an accident happens, and if you watch Jordan, he reacts that way. He was like, ‘I didn’t get the shorts, I may have got something else’ and he pulls his hand out straight away.

“If this is the way then put something out to prevent it, some education – if you do make that tackle in the future you’re likely to go to judiciary.”

Both players will now miss their sides’ Challenge Cup quarter-finals this weekend.

Lineham ( left) contested his charge, but was found guilty and also fined £500.

St Helens centre Kevin Naiqama successfully had his high- tackle charge downgraded to escape a ban.