Bateman faces lengthy ban

Bradford’s John Bateman will appear before the RFL Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday.

Bateman will appear before the panel after being charged with making a ‘crusher tackle’ during his side’s Challenge Cup fifth round defeat at Warrington Wolves.

Bateman has been charged with executing the dangerous tackle on Warrington’s Brett Hodgson in the 36th minute. The incident was put on report by referee James Child.

The RFL Match Review Panel felt he “forcefully applied unnecessary pressure to the head and/or neck and/or spinal column of his opponent so as to keep the tackled player at a disadvantage in or after the tackle.”

It is likely Bateman will be suspended for three to four matches.