Independent Disciplinary Update: Pablo Matera Decision

A red card was issued to Pablo Matera of the MIE Honda HEAT by a referee at the match between SAITAMA Panasonic WILD KNIGHTS and MIE Honda HEAT held on 12 January 2025.

This is to inform that in accordance with Article 34 (Judicial and Citing) of the JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE ‘Official Match Guidelines 2024-25’ 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: Pablo Matera

Team: MIE Honda HEAT 

Date of Incident: 12 January 2025

Nature of Offence: Law 9.11 – Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over, a tackler.

Sanctions: No additional sanctions

*Assessed by applying World Rugby's Head Contact Process, the red card decision was not upheld

*A cumulative yellow card was given instead

The Act: The player hit his left shoulder to the victim player(No.8 of SAITAMA Panasonic WILD KNIGHTS)'s left shoulder and left chest.

Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 31:00 into the 2nd half

【References】
JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE “Official Match Guidelines 2024-25” (JP only)
https://league-one.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/file/menu/11248_6724a704ea4a2.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