Independent Disciplinary Update: Mark Abbott Decision

A red card was issued to Mark Abbott of the MIE Honda HEAT by a referee at the match between TOKYO SUNTORY SUNGOLIATH and MIE Honda HEAT held on 17 January 2026.

This is to inform that in accordance with Article 34 (Judicial and Citing) of the JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE ‘Official Match Guidelines 2025-26’ and the Japan Rugby Football Union ‘Regulation of Sanctions for Foul Play’, the Judicial Officer conducted a hearing with the player and decided to apply the following sanctions.

■Regulation 17 (DISCIPLINE - FOUL PLAY): Details of the Incident

Player: Mark Abbott 

Team: MIE Honda HEAT

Date of Incident: 17 January 2026

Nature of Offence: 

Law 9.20(a) Dangerous play in a ruck or maul; A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul.

Sanctions: 4weeks (matches) Suspension (Round 6-9)

The Act: The player made made a heard contact to the victim player (NO. 21 of TOKYO SG) by his head

Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 26:00 into the 2nd half

【References】
JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE “Official Match Guidelines 2025-26” (JP only)

https://league-one.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/file/menu/17338_693ba388aee09.pdf
Japan Rugby Football Union “Regulation of Sanctions for Foul Play” (JP only)
https://rugby-japan.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/file/html/169467_6560879583b90.pdf
World Rugby　Regulation17 DISCIPLINE - FOUL PLAY
https://www.world.rugby/organisation/governance/regulations/reg-17