Independent Disciplinary Update: Shintaro Matsuda Decision

A red card was issued to Shintaro Matsuda of the Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions by a referee at the match between Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions and LeRIRO Fukuoka  held on 2 March 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: Shintaro Matsuda

Team:Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions 

Date of Incident: 2 March 2025

Nature of Offence: 

Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

Sanctions: 3 weeks (matches) Suspension (Rd 9,10,12*)

* Since Rd 12 will be held before Rd 11 due to the venue matter, the suspended-matches are Rd 9, 10, 12

The Act: The player made a high tackle to the victim player (No.20 of LR FUKUOKA) 

Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 16:00 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