Salford Red Devils player charged with racial abuse

Salford Red Devils rugby player, Justin Carney, has been charged with racial abuse which occurred during a Challenge Cup match against the Toronto Wolfpacks.

Justin Carney who plays as a winger for the Salford Red Devils has been charged by the Rugby Football League following an incident with a Toronto Wolfpack player during the Challenge Cup on Sunday.

The Australian could face an eight game suspension as The Rugby Football League have deemed this a Grade F incident.

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The 28-year-old was originally sent off in the first half of Sundays victory against Toronto Wolfpack for dissent by Jack Smith, but it is believed now that it was racial abuse.

Salford’s victory over the League One team sees them advance to the last 16 but the result has been marred by the events involving Justin Carney

Carney who has played in the Rugby League since 2013, had just last year made his move permanent from Yorkshire outfit Castleford Tigers.

The Grade F charge is the highest charge that a Rugby League player can receive and always carries an eight match ban, if the player is found guilty.

Salford's Justin Carney – sent-off v Toronto – is charged "Grade F Verbal abuse based on race/colour". That's a potential ban of 8+ games.

— Peter Smith (@PeterSmithYEP) April 24, 2017

Carney has played ten times for the Red Devils this season and scored three tries for the Red Devils who are currently 5th in in the Super League and are two points from the top.

Carney does not have the option of an early guilty plea and will face a hearing in front of an independent disciplinary tribunal in Leeds on Tuesday evening.

The Salford Red Devils have issued a statement about the incident on Sunday:

Salford winger Justin Carney has been charged with Grade F offence "abuse based on race or colour" and could miss up to eight matches.

— The Game Caller (@TheGameCaller) April 24, 2017

“The Club will work closely with the RFL and all parties involved over the coming days to investigate the incident thoroughly.

Neither the Red Devils nor the player will be releasing any further comment at this stage.”

The hearing is expected to take place this evening at a tribunal in Leeds.