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1 hour ago
Hull FC forward Jack Ashworth has been given a seven-game ban for striking during their derby defeat by Hull KR, while Catalans Dragons’ Franck Maria has been given a five-match suspension.
Ashworth, 29, pleaded guilty to hitting Hull KR playmaker Mikey Lewis in the head with his forearm in the closing stages of Sunday’s bad tempered 18-4 defeat.
His ban comes in addition to Hull trio Jordan Rapana, Amir Bourouh and Yusuf Aydin also being given suspensions after the fractious fixture.
Maria, meanwhile, was banned after his red card for a poor tackle on Salford’s Emmanuel Waine in their narrow win over the Red Devils on Thursday.
His tackle resulted in the Papua New Guinea international needing to be carried off the field on a stretcher and spending time in hospital.
Ashworth has played his final game for Hull FC, with his ban ruling him ineligible even if his side seal a play-off spot and reach the Super League Grand Final, and he is likely to miss the start of next season as well.
Rapana could also have played his final game in rugby league prior to his retirement, having been banned for two matches with just two games of the regular season remaining.
