You are in > manchester.com  > News > Cooke gets six-match ban

Rugby League

Cooke gets six-match ban

14/11/2007

Hull KR fly-half Paul Cooke has been banned for the first six matches of next season's Super League following his controversial move from Hull FC.

Cooke was found guilty of misconduct by a Rugby Football League tribunal after seeking a move to another club while under contract with Hull.

Rovers were cleared of any wrongdoing and Cooke has been ordered to pay the costs of Hull FC, although he does have another 14 days to appeal the decision.

The Black and Whites claimed that Cooke approached the Robins, the club he supported as a boy, while still contracted to them.

Cooke, however, claimed he never signed a deal and was therefore free to talk to any interested party.

Suspicions were raised when he tendered his resignation from Hull on April 23rd and then sealed a move to their bitter rivals just four days later.

Despite this the league sanctioned the transfer and the 26-year-old played 14 times for the Robins last season, he even helped them beat his former employers twice.

He scored one try, 36 goals and two drop goals during last season with Rovers but will now be missing until March 17th.

Cooke said he was unsure whether he would proceed with an appeal. Following the tribunal's decision he said: "I can't make any comment until I've spoken to my legal team."

Neither of the two clubs would comment on the case following the result of the hearing.