Harry Newman's extended ban has been met with anger, though not all are sympathetic with Leeds Rhinos following their failed appeal. The club unsuccessfully attempted to overturn a two-match ban after the centre was charged with using aggressive language or body language towards the referee and instead saw an extra game put onto his ban for a frivolous appeal.
It is the second time Leeds have unsuccessfully appealed this season, with James Bentley also having an additional game added to a ban he received after being sent off on debut against Warrington Wolves. As suspected, the news received a strong reaction on social media, though it was by no means all in support of Newman and the Rhinos.
In fact, many of the club's supporters criticised the decision to appeal the ban, insisting the outcome was obvious.
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"Genuinely can not work out who the hell thought an appeal was a good idea," one fan tweeted. "It was so clear to see. I'm honestly so disillusioned with this club at the moment."
Another added: "You need to give your heads a wobble. New coach and nothings changed. No accountability, blaming everyone but yourselves." Others soon agreed, with another fan tweeting: "We all saw Harry have his tantrum, should never have appealed it."
Meanwhile, another fan commented: "Appealing against abusing a ref. So many bad decisions made by the club in 2022 in so many areas and it's the gift that keeps on giving."
That said, there were others who aimed their frustrations at the RFL and their disciplinary process.
" @TheRFL are becoming a joke always Leeds players getting extra game bans what about Refs getting demoted for bad performances," was the response of one disgruntled fan.
Another added: " @TheRFL this game won't exist with the current state of how you're running it...now I ain't no leeds fan and even I think it totally doesn't deserve a 3 match ban players youth and fans will turn their backs on this sport its already happening."
