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Tom Lineham: Warrington Wolves winger given eight-game ban for testicle grab
Warrington winger Tom Lineham has been banned for eight games after being found guilty of grabbing the testicles of an opponent.
Lineham, 27, was charged with a Grade F offence for his challenge on Alex Foster during last Thursday's Super League win over Castleford.
He contested the charge but a Rugby Football League disciplinary hearing on Tuesday ruled it was correct.
Meanwhile, Hull KR's Jordan Abdull has been banned for two matches.
The half-back pleaded guilty to a similar charge following a challenge on St Helens forward James Bentley.
Abdull was charged with a Grade D offence, which carries a ban of three to five matches, but the tribunal downgraded it to a Grade C offence. Both Lineham, who will miss Saturday's Challenge Cup quarter-final against St Helens, and Abdull were also fined 拢500.
A Grade F offence, like that faced by Lineham, is the most serious on the RFL's scale of "other contrary conduct" and carries a minimum eight-game ban.
St Helens and England winger Tommy Makinson was suspended for five matches for a similar offence last month, although his initial Grade F charge was downgraded.
Meanwhile, St Helens centre Kevin Naiqama will be free to face Warrington in the last eight after having a two-match ban overturned.
The 31-year-old had been found guilty of a Grade C high tackle on Kane Linnett late on in Friday's 21-20 Super League win over Hull KR.
The club successfully appealed against the grading of the offence, which was downgraded to a Grade A infringement.
Naiqama's ban has been quashed and he will instead face a 拢500 fine.
Elsewhere, Leeds second rower Alex Sutcliffe accepted his two-match suspension for a dangerous tackle and team-mate Brad Dwyer and Castleford loose forward Adam Milner accepted their one-game bans for Grade B offences.
Sutcliffe and Dwyer will both miss Leeds' quarter-final against Hull KR at St Helens on Friday.