Ben Flower Banned 6 Months: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Wigan Warriors prop Ben Flower has been banned for six months following his red card inside the first minutes of the 2014 Super League Grand Final against St. Helens, according to Sky Sports.   

The Welshman was spotted repeatedly punching Saints' Lance Hohaia, and the Rugby Football League interpreted that as a Grade F offence:

A Grade F offence is the strongest on the RFL's scale, carrying a ban of eight matches or more. Public outcry was strong after the incident, which put the sport of rugby in a very poor light. The incident in question can be seen below (warning: graphic content):

Wigan were forced to play the remaining 78 minutes with 12 men and fell to St. Helens, 14-6. The Guardian's Andy Wilson previously reported Saints could still press criminal charges, but via the club's website, chairman Eamonn McManus stated this was a matter for the league:

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Real and rapid introspection is critical and trust needs to be unequivocal. Coaches and players must have much more clarity and consistency in the application of the rules and in their sanctions so as not to tempt participants to exploit unclear boundaries nor to risk the unpredictability of sanctions.

This matter gives the sport of Rugby League the opportunity to positively differentiate itself yet again by dealing with a high profile problem in an efficient, transparent, pragmatic and effective manner. I am confident that it will.

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According to BBC Sport's Dan Roan, the ban will result in Flower missing a total of 13 matches, making it the longest ban in Super League history:

The Sunday Times' Chris Irvine knows there will be no appeal:

As reported by ESPN.co.uk, Hohaia also accepted a one-match ban for striking Flower during the incident.

Flower abandoned his teammates during the Grand Final and put the Rugby League in a terrible light on a national stage, but the 26-year-old has since apologised, explained his actions and accepted his punishment. The Wigan Observer's Phil Wilkinson believes it's time to move on:

Most pundits and fans appear to agree. While his actions undoubtedly had a big impact on the Grand Final, viewers were still treated to one of the best rugby matches of the season.

Flower made a terrible mistake, but following the RFL's decision, it's time to put the incident in the rear-view mirror and focus on what's to come, not what has passed.

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