York City Knights: no comment on RFL decision NOT to charge Newcastle Thunder's Dan Parker

The Knights go to Whitehaven on Sunday for their Kingstone Press League One play-off semi-final and chairman Jon Flatman says their energies are focused on that. It was unclear just how angry he was by the panel's decision.

Parker was expected by many to be facing a suspension for the tackle, which came after Harris, playing at full-back, had passed the ball at the end of a mesmerising run out of defence.

Harris needed lengthy treatment on the pitch for a head injury before being escorted off and playing no further part in the match.

However, the match review panel deemed footage to be unclear and that Parker's yellow card was sufficient punishment. Parker had gone over to Harris as he made his way off the pitch.

Flatman said: "We as a club do not wish to make comment on the matter at this point.

"We are focusing our energies on the Whitehaven game and on ensuring Liam Harris is given every opportunity to recover from the incident and be ready to play in it."

Referee John McMullen - who will again be in the middle for York's semi-final at Whitehaven - said he had been unsighted at the "point of contact", and sin-binned Parker only for a late tackle after consultation with the touch judges.

The match review panel's report of Parker's challenge on Harris, as written on the disciplinary section of the RFL website, said: "Player makes contact with opponent after ball has been passed. Opponent is already dipping and going to ground after passing the ball. Footage unclear as to point of contact. Sin Bin Sufficient."

Knights head coach James Ford, immediately after the game, said it was a "miracle" Harris was not concussed and described the tackle as "disgraceful" and a "straight red card", saying the sport had a "responsibility to protect" players.

He did not comment on the match review panel's decision.

A video clip of the challenge is on the press.co.uk/sport