O'Loughlin facing ban

Wigan captain Sean O'Loughlin has been charged with a grade C offence after being sent off for a high tackle on Wakefield forward Chris Annakin.

By The Newsroom

Published 11th Jul 2016, 16:07 BST

Updated 11th Jul 2016, 17:11 BST

The England skipper was shown a red card for the first time in his career just before half-time in Wigan’s 22-18 Super League win over the Wildcats at the DW Stadium on Friday night.

The tackle was judged to be reckless by the Rugby Football League’s match-review panel and O’Loughlin is facing a ban of two to three matches.

The Warriors have two league games left, starting at Leeds on Friday, before their Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-final against Hull on Friday, July 29.

He has the option of an early guilty plea, which would result in the minimum suspension of two-games. Alternatively he could contest the charge but risk a heavier punishment.

Wakefield chairman Michael Carter appeared to suggest the charge is on the lenient side, saying on his Twitter account: “I’m not sure grade C high tackle covers nearly snapping someone’s neck!”