The suspension was confirmed on Wednesday by Mid North Coast Rugby's Steve Shields.

Campbell was sent off in the 65^th minute of the preliminary final against Wallamba by referee Greg Boyer following a report from assistant referee Michael Wooster. This followed an incident that occurred after Wallamba scored a try. The Ratz, despite playing the last 15 minutes with 12 players, managed a come-from-behind 33-19 win to earn a grand final berth.

The matter was dealt with by the zone's judiciary. Manning Ratz produced TV footage of the incident along with witness statements from spectators.

However, the judiciary reached the following conclusion:

"This matter comes before the judiciary as a result of a send off by referee Greg Boyer on the advice of assistant referee (AR) Michael Wooster.

The report from AR Wooster indicates that Campbell "threw an upper cut into the opponent's face who had just scored a try.

After being sent from the field of play Campbell said to AR Wooster that he hadn't punched his opponent and that Wooster was "a f......g idiot".

Various statements are produces by Manning River through president Jim Boyce which show the good character of Campbell.

Statements are also produced from supporters/witnesses who state that they didn't see punches being thrown nor did they hear any words uttered by Campbell towards the referee.

I have viewed the supplied video of the proceedings which shows the fracas but not in any great detail.

Issue is raised by James Farrawell that the AR was not "within 5 metres with an unimpeded view".

From the video supplied the Referee was definitely unsighted, however, looking at the position of the players after the try was awarded I am of the opinion that the AR would have had a relatively clear view of the situation along the try line even from the touch line at worst.

From the video it is not clearly shown that Campbell did not throw a punch, but having watched the video in excess of 20 times on a large screen with high definition and using freeze frame I make the following view.

The player Campbell can be seen arising from the ground after the try being scored and entering into the Wallamba players grouping after the try being scored and having what appears to be a "poised" arm. The actual delivery of any punches by Campbell is not able to be seen.

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However, his entry into the group of Wallamba players after the awarding of the try appears in an aggressive mode. From that point the fracas develops.

I am of the view that on the balance of probabilities that a punch was thrown.

Statements are made by witnesses for Campbell that Campbell reacted to the Wallamba player throwing the ball at the head of Campbell. There is no clear evidence of that ball being thrown at Campbell's head but it is seen bouncing beyond the area of the try being scored and Campbell appearing to hold his jaw.

This is a mitigation not a justification

The video evidence does not show the player leaving the field of play so any evidence of direction involved in the using of the unseemly language is not available.

Campbell, in his statement, said he used the words but they were directed to himself and not at the AR.

I am not convinced of this statement

Having regard to the statements and video that are available to me I am satisfied that a punch was thrown and that words were uttered to the AR.

I note that AR Wooster and referee Boyer rate the offence as both mid range and intentional.

The specified penalty for an offence of this type at mid range is six weeks.

From the statements supplied by various character referees it is obvious that Campbell is regarded in high regard by the local community in Taree in a sporting and general field.

I note that Campbell has been issued with two yellow cards this season in rounds seven and 12.

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Campbell was sent from the field in the 65th minute of play so that he has missed approximately 15 minutes of play in the LMNC final.

He now faces the threat of missing a grand final after his team won their final despite his absence from the field.

I am most concerned that retaliatory punches were thrown at an opposing player taking into account that a ball may have been thrown at Campbell.

I am also concerned that dissent was shown to the AR as he left the field.

I have thought long and hard over this matter.

I have viewed the supplied video many, many times and there is nothing in that video that would dissuade me from the AR'S report.

I have read all the statements several times which basically say that Ricky Campbell is a nice guy and for that I acknowledge.

Those statements from spectators are not as close to the field of play and the incident as the AR.

Whilst I acknowledge the statements I have nothing to defray from the AR's report.

I find the offence proven but I will make an allowance for the good character of the player. His record is not without blemish and if this matter had been dealt with by way of a yellow card he would have no redress as that would be an automatic one week suspension due to the previous two yellow cards.

In my view the incident warranted a red card and Ricky Campbell now comes before the judiciary to be dealt with.

The Player Ricky Campbell is suspended for a period of three competition matches commencing from the 2019 Lower Mid North Coast grand final.

I feel for the player missing the grand final but any leniency I could extend has been extended and has been taken into account in my decision."

Steve Shields

MNCRU judiciary

22 August 2019