He gets 6 months ban, I reckon it was criminal ?

Tuesday 14 October 2014

Ben Flower banned for six months for Grand Final punch

Wigan prop Ben Flower has been given a six-month ban after twice punching St Helens' Lance Hohaia during Saturday's Super League Grand Final.
Flower, 26, punched Hohaia to the ground then landed a second blow while the New Zealander lay prone.
He was sent off after only two minutes as the Warriors were beaten 14-6.

Welshman Flower will be suspended until 14 April, and will miss 10 Super League games and the World Club Series match against the Brisbane Broncos.

Hohaia had already accepted a one-game suspension for a forearm strike which came before Flower's punches.

Flower was charged with a Grade F offence - the most serious in the sport's disciplinary rules - of "violent and aggressive punching" and "punching an off-guard opponent", a charge which carries a minimum of an eight-game ban and, according to the Rugby Football League, his punishment is the biggest single ban in Super League history.

Tuesday 14 October 2014

Ben Flower banned for six months for Grand Final punch

Wigan prop Ben Flower has been given a six-month ban after twice punching St Helens' Lance Hohaia during Saturday's Super League Grand Final.
Flower, 26, punched Hohaia to the ground then landed a second blow while the New Zealander lay prone.
He was sent off after only two minutes as the Warriors were beaten 14-6.

Welshman Flower will be suspended until 14 April, and will miss 10 Super League games and the World Club Series match against the Brisbane Broncos.

Hohaia had already accepted a one-game suspension for a forearm strike which came before Flower's punches.

Flower was charged with a Grade F offence - the most serious in the sport's disciplinary rules - of "violent and aggressive punching" and "punching an off-guard opponent", a charge which carries a minimum of an eight-game ban and, according to the Rugby Football League, his punishment is the biggest single ban in Super League history.

I'm not sure but there may be another criminal charge brought against him. He could yet face prosecution for ABH or equivalent. Watch this space!

Tuesday 14 October 2014

Ben Flower banned for six months for Grand Final punch

Wigan prop Ben Flower has been given a six-month ban after twice punching St Helens' Lance Hohaia during Saturday's Super League Grand Final.
Flower, 26, punched Hohaia to the ground then landed a second blow while the New Zealander lay prone.
He was sent off after only two minutes as the Warriors were beaten 14-6.

Welshman Flower will be suspended until 14 April, and will miss 10 Super League games and the World Club Series match against the Brisbane Broncos.

Hohaia had already accepted a one-game suspension for a forearm strike which came before Flower's punches.

Flower was charged with a Grade F offence - the most serious in the sport's disciplinary rules - of "violent and aggressive punching" and "punching an off-guard opponent", a charge which carries a minimum of an eight-game ban and, according to the Rugby Football League, his punishment is the biggest single ban in Super League history.

I'm not sure but there may be another criminal charge brought against him. He could yet face prosecution for ABH or equivalent. Watch this space!

He should do.

I said in the other thread about him, This was a bit more than a rugby punch up. Criminal Indeed.

Seen the tackle he made before he got punched? Deserved it but not the 2nd punch.

The first punch was retaliation to that forearm .... But the second punch when the guy is clean out on the floor was disgusting!

Well police are probing the incident so lets see what justice is done.

I know it was bad, but rugby is such a contact sport which requires you in some positions to physically overcome your opposite number. When you are waiting for the game to start in the changing rooms you are winding yourself up and the adrenaline is flowing, you sometimes even feel sick and so wound up you get in a zone......this is when especially during the first few hits of a match, people can do really stupid, rash and dangerous things.I am not saying what he done was right, especially the second punch. but the other guy was no angel and smashed flower with his forearm.Yes he deserves his ban, but please lets not talk about prison, its a huge can of worms. People who play these sports in certain positions know the score, leave it to the individual if he wants to press charges, in most cases the ones who have been hit have hit out their selves at some point in their carreer.

He was out after the first punch!

You see a guy sparked out on the floor do you really think standing over him gripping him then think f**k it lets give him another?

The first punch i didn't see much I a problem with (for what you see in rugby) but the second he has deliberately gone to cause harm to the guy. Can see him getting a lot of community service I can't see a jail sentence.

He was out after the first punch!

You see a guy sparked out on the floor do you really think standing over him gripping him then think f**k it lets give him another?

The first punch i didn't see much I a problem with (for what you see in rugby) but the second he has deliberately gone to cause harm to the guy. Can see him getting a lot of community service I can't see a jail sentence.

He wasn't thinking that's my point.....his head had gone, adrenaline pumping, same as any fight. Ever tried it ? its frightening.

Again as I said in another thread, such a shame cause he was a cracking player at the Celtic crusaders with so much promise (hence Wigan signing him), such a great lad aswell when I saw them play. (Used to be a season ticket holder)

nah i disagree .... it was in the heat of battle and the punishment handed out is enough ... im sure i heard the other player as been charged to for the elbow

nah i disagree .... it was in the heat of battle and the punishment handed out is enough ... im sure i heard the other player as been charged to for the elbow

Yea the other guy did, punishment for the first punch wouldn't have been as severe as it's an instant reaction but second was a bit naughty to be fair.

nah i disagree .... it was in the heat of battle and the punishment handed out is enough ... im sure i heard the other player as been charged to for the elbow

if other player hadnt used elbow on him it wouldnt have happened!! anyway believe poilce said if no complaint made no action be taken! after all cannot prosecute everyone who is shown doing something wrong or the courts be over run especially in todays socially inundated world!! ban enough after all its a contact sport incidents do happen that are not nice up to other player now!

I will never understand how a blow in a sport more than likely gets a fine/ban from the game without any jail time

yet if the same blow were to happen outside of the stadium that 'normal' person would be locked up for a long time!

I think the ban is about right only because of the second punch. If he had hit him just the one time then I think that it should have been the two players sent off. Then I handshake after the game a pint and forgotten about.

Why are people making excuses for him.

"Heat of battle" Do me a favour.

You take responsibility for your own actions. You are in control of your own body.

Next time I play football I'll pummel someone's face in then?. The heat of battle my arse.

Why are people making excuses for him.

"Heat of battle" Do me a favour.

You take responsibility for your own actions. You are in control of your own body.

Next time I play football I'll pummel someone's face in then?. The heat of battle my arse.

Just dive in the box, or roll around on the floor when you have hardly been touched, or maybe pretend you have been elbowed to get someone sent off.

So the first punch is okay but the second isn't..

As a photographer I have been fortunate enough to cover a large part of Ben's career. I covered the away games for the Celtic Crusaders. I was one of their photographers when based in Wrexham and now, as I live in Wigan, I cover a lot of Rugby League games including many at the DW Stadium.

Ben Flower is NOT a violent person. I have covered enough matches to know that and what happened last week was totally out of character - and I know this is a view shared with some of the Australian guys who used to play for the Crusaders. Indeed I also know that it is a view shared by some of the Pro's who play for other clubs in Super League.

What happened was a case of "Red Mist". I am sure if we are honest we have all acted "Out of Character" to something in our lives. Im not saying punching someone but there are times, myself included, where people explode. That appears to have been what happened to Ben.

Rugby League is a competitive sport. In some respect it is a little like Ice Hockey. There are enforcers on the pitch and it is generally regarded as a part of the game - albeit perhaps more in Australia where the "State of Origin" takes place.

Ben is a good guy. He is sorry for letting himself and his supporters down and he will serve his suspension. But he is also an excellent player and he needs to be given the opportunity to prove that.

As a photographer I have been fortunate enough to cover a large part of Ben's career. I covered the away games for the Celtic Crusaders. I was one of their photographers when based in Wrexham and now, as I live in Wigan, I cover a lot of Rugby League games including many at the DW Stadium.

Ben Flower is NOT a violent person. I have covered enough matches to know that and what happened last week was totally out of character - and I know this is a view shared with some of the Australian guys who used to play for the Crusaders. Indeed I also know that it is a view shared by some of the Pro's who play for other clubs in Super League.

What happened was a case of "Red Mist". I am sure if we are honest we have all acted "Out of Character" to something in our lives. Im not saying punching someone but there are times, myself included, where people explode. That appears to have been what happened to Ben.

Rugby League is a competitive sport. In some respect it is a little like Ice Hockey. There are enforcers on the pitch and it is generally regarded as a part of the game - albeit perhaps more in Australia where the "State of Origin" takes place.

Ben is a good guy. He is sorry for letting himself and his supporters down and he will serve his suspension. But he is also an excellent player and he needs to be given the opportunity to prove that.

Good post well said.

I know it was bad, but rugby is such a contact sport which requires you in some positions to physically overcome your opposite number. When you are waiting for the game to start in the changing rooms you are winding yourself up and the adrenaline is flowing, you sometimes even feel sick and so wound up you get in a zone......this is when especially during the first few hits of a match, people can do really stupid, rash and dangerous things.I am not saying what he done was right, especially the second punch. but the other guy was no angel and smashed flower with his forearm.Yes he deserves his ban, but please lets not talk about prison, its a huge can of worms. People who play these sports in certain positions know the score, leave it to the individual if he wants to press charges, in most cases the ones who have been hit have hit out their selves at some point in their carreer.

if it was just one punch i would agree. The first punch was self defence. 2nd punch wasn't, that was a hell of a punch against a defenceless guy and deserves police action. Place of work is no acception.

As a photographer I have been fortunate enough to cover a large part of Ben's career. I covered the away games for the Celtic Crusaders. I was one of their photographers when based in Wrexham and now, as I live in Wigan, I cover a lot of Rugby League games including many at the DW Stadium.

Ben Flower is NOT a violent person. I have covered enough matches to know that and what happened last week was totally out of character - and I know this is a view shared with some of the Australian guys who used to play for the Crusaders. Indeed I also know that it is a view shared by some of the Pro's who play for other clubs in Super League.

What happened was a case of "Red Mist". I am sure if we are honest we have all acted "Out of Character" to something in our lives. Im not saying punching someone but there are times, myself included, where people explode. That appears to have been what happened to Ben.

Rugby League is a competitive sport. In some respect it is a little like Ice Hockey. There are enforcers on the pitch and it is generally regarded as a part of the game - albeit perhaps more in Australia where the "State of Origin" takes place.

Ben is a good guy. He is sorry for letting himself and his supporters down and he will serve his suspension. But he is also an excellent player and he needs to be given the opportunity to prove that.

sounds like something my wife says when defending her clients. You haven't been a lawyer sometime in life have you?

in not saying he deserves time, bu deserves police action.

he might have mitigating circumstance for the first. But he's also paid a good wage to be professional, and the 2nd was assault.

surely not just people who aren't good people should be punished for bad actions. He went well over the top and deserves actions against by civil authorities.

Tough call, wonder how it would have been dealt with on the football pitch. Suarez was meant to be out of football for ages and then was playing within a month after his bite incident.

I'm sure there will be a hefty fine with it too, but yes, the second punch is disturbing. He'd already knocked the guy out with the first one.

At the least I don't think the ban was long enough....

As a photographer I have been fortunate enough to cover a large part of Ben's career. I covered the away games for the Celtic Crusaders. I was one of their photographers when based in Wrexham and now, as I live in Wigan, I cover a lot of Rugby League games including many at the DW Stadium.

Ben Flower is NOT a violent person. I have covered enough matches to know that and what happened last week was totally out of character - and I know this is a view shared with some of the Australian guys who used to play for the Crusaders. Indeed I also know that it is a view shared by some of the Pro's who play for other clubs in Super League.

What happened was a case of "Red Mist". I am sure if we are honest we have all acted "Out of Character" to something in our lives. Im not saying punching someone but there are times, myself included, where people explode. That appears to have been what happened to Ben.

Rugby League is a competitive sport. In some respect it is a little like Ice Hockey. There are enforcers on the pitch and it is generally regarded as a part of the game - albeit perhaps more in Australia where the "State of Origin" takes place.

Ben is a good guy. He is sorry for letting himself and his supporters down and he will serve his suspension. But he is also an excellent player and he needs to be given the opportunity to prove that.

sounds like something my wife says when defending her clients. You haven't been a lawyer sometime in life have you?

in not saying he deserves time, bu deserves police action.

he might have mitigating circumstance for the first. But he's also paid a good wage to be professional, and the 2nd was assault.

surely not just people who aren't good people should be punished for bad actions. He went well over the top and deserves actions against by civil authorities.

haha - Ive worked in the legal field for 25 years. Admiral, when I lived in Cardiff and I am still involved with a firm of solicitors (Personal Injury) in the NW now. Good Spot

As a photographer I have been fortunate enough to cover a large part of Ben's career. I covered the away games for the Celtic Crusaders. I was one of their photographers when based in Wrexham and now, as I live in Wigan, I cover a lot of Rugby League games including many at the DW Stadium.

Ben Flower is NOT a violent person. I have covered enough matches to know that and what happened last week was totally out of character - and I know this is a view shared with some of the Australian guys who used to play for the Crusaders. Indeed I also know that it is a view shared by some of the Pro's who play for other clubs in Super League.

What happened was a case of "Red Mist". I am sure if we are honest we have all acted "Out of Character" to something in our lives. Im not saying punching someone but there are times, myself included, where people explode. That appears to have been what happened to Ben.

Rugby League is a competitive sport. In some respect it is a little like Ice Hockey. There are enforcers on the pitch and it is generally regarded as a part of the game - albeit perhaps more in Australia where the "State of Origin" takes place.

Ben is a good guy. He is sorry for letting himself and his supporters down and he will serve his suspension. But he is also an excellent player and he needs to be given the opportunity to prove that.

sounds like something my wife says when defending her clients. You haven't been a lawyer sometime in life have you?

in not saying he deserves time, bu deserves police action.

he might have mitigating circumstance for the first. But he's also paid a good wage to be professional, and the 2nd was assault.

surely not just people who aren't good people should be punished for bad actions. He went well over the top and deserves actions against by civil authorities.

haha - Ive worked in the legal field for 25 years. Admiral, when I lived in Cardiff and I am still involved with a firm of solicitors (Personal Injury) in the NW now. Good Spot

who do you work for in PI?

My wife works for Irwin Mitchell on PI, Birmingham

I will never understand how a blow in a sport more than likely gets a fine/ban from the game without any jail time

yet if the same blow were to happen outside of the stadium that 'normal' person would be locked up for a long time!

Agree with you completely.

The only way to stop this sort of thing happening in rugby would for a player to be sent to jail for his actions. It happened to Duncan Ferguson some years ago for headbutting an opponent, but that was football and we all know rugby seems to be treated differently.

However, the sport doesn't help itself I'm afraid. Why doesn't the player who was punched make a formal complaint to the police? Is it because of the "unwritten code" in rugby that it's all "part of the game" or perhaps because the guy who was punched had already attacked Ben Flower leading to the assault in retaliation?

No excuse for what happened. Trying to intimidate your opponent? Too much adrenaline?

All bollocks I'm afraid and an unjustifable excuse for the sort of thuggery that would see you charged with ABH or GBH if you did it on the town on a Friday night, no matter what the provocation.

He may be a "nice guy" who is extremely remorseful for waht he did. That one act that he carried out on Saturday also means that he is a violent thug.