By BILLY GRIMSHAW
SALFORD Red Devils’ winger Justin Carney could be facing an enormous ban after being charged by the RFL with verbal abuse based on race or colour, a Grade F offence. Carney saw red early in the first half of the Red Devils’ 26-22 win over a spirited Toronto Wolfpack side in the Challenge Cup.
The incident is believed to have occurred in a spat between the winger and Toronto enforcer Ryan Bailey on 26 minutes. Referee Jack Smith showed Carney the red card. Salford have announced they are also investigating events leading up to the sending-off.
A Grade F charge is the most severe category of charge a player can face from the RFL and the minimum punishment for offenders is an eight game ban. A player could face a fixed time period of suspension if the disciplinary panel believe a standard ban is insufficient. The severity of the charge means Carney does not have the option of an early guilty plea.
The Red Devils’ survived losing Carney early on to scrape past League One trailblazers Toronto and thus handed the Wolfpack their first ever loss in a competitive fixture.
