St Helens will decide whether to pursue their own action against Wigan forward Ben Flower after consulting with police over his attack on playmaker Lance Hohaia in the Super League grand final.
Flower, sent off for twice striking the Saints player, including once while he was motionless on the ground, could receive a suspension of more than eight matches after he was charged by the Rugby Football League’s match review panel with the most severe offence.
The 26-year-old Wales international will appear in front of a disciplinary tribunal at RFL headquarters in Leeds on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) on a Grade F offence accused of “violent and aggressive punching on an off-guard opponent”.
St Helens may also decide to take the matter further after a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed the Crown Prosecution Service could become involved.
“An officer is due to speak to officials at St Helens (on Monday) and will also be in consultation with the RFL and if appropriate the CPS in order to decide what, if any, action will be taken,” said a spokesman.
“It is not expected that a final decision will be made today in relation to whether or not there will be any further police involvement.”
Hohaia has also been charged over the incident, although with a lesser Grade B offence for allegedly using a forearm to the face of Flower.
Flower’s attack on Hohaia in only the second minute completely overshadowed Saints’ 14-6 victory over the defending champions at Old Trafford on Saturday, with the prop’s double punch receiving widespread criticism.
Indeed, he was still trending on Twitter in the United Kingdom on Sunday morning and his actions prompted the Warriors to issue a press release in which Flower, coach Shaun Wane and chairman Ian Lenagan all apologised for the incident which led to the Wales international making history by becoming the first player to be sent off in a Super League grand final.
His charge carries a minimum eight-game match ban although the RFL could opt to give the 26-year-old an even longer suspension.
Hohaia, unlike Flower, has the option of submitting an early guilty plea by Tuesday night AEDT, with his charge carrying a ban of between one and two matches.
The 31-year-old instigated proceedings and Flower took exception to an apparent use of a forearm by blatantly punching the former New Zealand international to the ground with a right hook before landing another punch to the face as his opponent lay motionless on the pitch.
While Hohaia appeared to bear no grudges towards Flower, saying “people do some things they regret”, Saints chief executive Mike Rush is keen for normal disciplinary procedure to take place.
