Catalans Dragons forward Franck Maria has been handed a heavy ban following his red card in Round 25 of Super League.

The Frenchman failed to wrap and made direct contact to the head of Salford Red Devils’ prop Emmanuel Waine with the Papua New Guinean knocked out cold from the tackle.

After a ten-minute period where Waine was treated by the medical staff and then stretchered off, Maria was sent off with Catalans playing the final 50 minutes with 12 men.

Les Dracs did manage to come from behind and win 17-16 as Ugo Tison starred but the big talking point was Maria’s red card and Waine’s health.

It was confirmed that he had gone to hospital and a further update from Salford and his parent club Bradford Bulls over the weekend confirmed he was out of hospital, but had suffered a fractured jaw.

As a result of the incident, it was no surprise when Maria was handed a Grade E charge for Head Contact at Monday’s Match Review Panel and the forward’s case has now been heard.

Catalans Dragons to miss end of Super League season through suspension

It’s no real surprise that a ban has been handed down with the only real question being how long the ban would be and the verdict is five matches.

Maria entered a guilty plea which is likely what saved him from the possible six games that a Grade E charge can carry.

As a result, 30 penalty points are added to his record but they will be halved and reduced to 15 when he finishes serving his ban.

That won’t be until after either Round One of Super League next season or after the Challenge Cup, whichever comes first. In 2025, Super League clubs played a Challenge Cup game before the Super League season starts but it’s unconfirmed if that format will resume.

What is certain is that Maria will miss the final two games of Super League, he can then serve two games in pre-season – though Catalans don’t always play a full pre-season, and then he will serve any remaining games after that.

He understandably was not named to Catalans Dragons’ 21-man squad for their trip to face Leeds Rhinos on Thursday night with the Rhinos currently chasing second in Super League.

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