Monday 21 July 2014 17:43, UK
Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield will serve his first-ever suspension of an 18-year career following his red card.
Sinfield, 33, has been found guilty of a Grace C offence having deliberately headbutting Castleford full-back Luke Dorn inside the final 10 minutes of their 24-24 draw on Thursday.
The player has issued an Early Guilty Plea (EGP) and taken a two-game ban to avoid a possible three-match suspension that would have kept him out of Leeds' important Tetley's Challenge Cup semi-final against Warrington on August 9.
Thursday's incident was the first time Sinfield has ever been red carded since his debut for Leeds in 1996.
Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott said following the game: “Kevin’s played 100s of games and is noted for his discipline and leadership.
“People have singled him out and tried to run him before and he’s never breached his discipline once.
“He’s had a brief flash in the pan incident. It was the right call from the referee and there is nobody hurting more than Kevin.
“It happens. We’ve never seen that from him before so I think we can all afford him a little momentary lapse in discipline for two seconds.
“He didn’t cost us the game though, no way.”
Leeds’ next Super League fixture is live on Sky Sports 3HD from 8pm on Friday night. They travel away to Salford City Reds.
