Greg Bird banned for four games and receives hefty fine

Catalans star Greg Bird has been banned for four games and fined £500.

The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to but challenged the severity of a Grade D dangerous contact charge from their 25-20 defeat at Wigan Warriors last Friday.

The independent operational rules tribunal, consisting of Chris Batty, Graeme Hallas and Danny Sculthorpe, felt the grading was correct and Bird has been suspended for four matches and fined £500.

Elsewhere, York City Knights coach James Ford has pleaded guilty to a Grade D foul and abusive language towards a match official charge.

Ford will now serve a two-match touchline ban and was fined £75.

The hearings for Wigan forward Taulima Tautai (Grade D dangerous contact) and Hull Kingston Rovers star Maurice Blair (Grade D other contrary behaviour), will be heard on Tuesday, August 7.