Elima handed ban

Catalans forward Olivier Elima has been suspended for one match following a RFL disciplinary hearing last night.

The French international captain was sent off in the 24th minute of his side’s defeat by St Helens on Saturday after a careless high tackle on Jonny Lomax.

He pleaded guilty ahead of the hearing and was also fined £300. He will miss Catalans’ game against Wigan this Friday.

The player was told the Committee felt the tackle was careless bordering on reckless and after taking into account the fact that Elima had received a warning letter in 2009 over his tackling technique, a suspension was deemed to be appropriate.

The Committee also ruled that no further action was required against Salford City Reds player Stuart Littler after finding him guilty of a careless high tackle on Ryan Bailey of Leeds Rhinos last Friday.

Littler’s guilty plea and previously unblemished disciplinary record were taken into consideration in deciding a suspension or fine were not appropriate sanctions for the Grade A offence.