Independent Disciplinary Update: Masahiro Eriguchi Decision

A yellow card was issued to Masahiro Eriguchi of the Kyushudenryoku KyudenVoltex at the match between Kyushudenryoku KyudenVoltex and SHIMIZU KOTO BLUE SHARKS held on 3 May 2025. This was the third yellow card accumulated by Eriguchi in the season.

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: Masahiro Eriguchi 

Team: Kyushudenryoku KyudenVoltex 

Date of Incident: 3 May 2025

Nature of Offence: 

YC① Law 9.16－A player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grasp that player. 

Law 9.20(a)－Dangerous play in a ruck or maul.

(a) 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.

YC② 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.

YC③ Law 9.8－A team must not repeatedly commit the same offence. 

Sanctions: 1 week (match) Suspension 

The Act and Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 

　　   YC① The player hit the victim player' (No. 11 of RH OSAKA) s head and neck with his elbow [vs RH OSAKA 9 Feb 38:00]

           YC② The player made a high tackle to the victim player (No.20 of S AICHI) [vs S AICHI 5 Apr 25:00 into the 2nd half] 

           YC③ Repeated infringements [vs KOTO BS 3 May 21:00]

【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