Tommy Makinson faces ban for rest of season for grabbing Liam Watts’ balls as Tigers star says ‘it went on for ages’

TOMMY Makinson could be banned for the rest of the season for his apparent grab on “shocked” Liam Watts’ genitals.

St Helens’ England winger has been walloped with the highest possible Grade F disciplinary charge after the incident in Sunday’s win over Castleford.

Sky Sports

This shocking action could cost St Helens’ star Tommy Makinson a lengthy ban[/caption]

Richard Long/News Images

England winger Tommy Makinson would be suspended for a minimum of eight games if found guilty of the disciplinary charge[/caption]

If found guilty, he will be hit with a suspension of at least eight games.

But the punishment remains open-ended and could be for a period of time rather than a number of matches.

That leaves the possibility, albeit remote, that he could be on the sidelines for the remainder of 2020 – it would take a record ban for an on-field offence, though.

Makinson was caught on camera grabbing Watts’ manhood as he took the ball up in the 13^th minute of Saints’ 10-0 victory.

And the Tigers prop told SunSport of the pain, saying: “It hurt at the time.

“He was groping really hard. If it was just a grab then fair enough but it went on for ages.

“I was shocked more than anything.”

It certainly looked pretty awkward. I saw Tommy Makinson apologise to him but it wasn’t a great thing to see.

Castleford boss Daryl Powell

England RU’s Joe Marler copped a 10-week suspension for getting a handful of Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones’ testicles in a Test match.

And Bradford’s George Flanagan was given an eight-match punishment for a similar offence to Makinson’s last year.

Officially, the charge is described as ‘other contrary behaviour’ and Makinson will appear before a disciplinary panel tonight (Tues).

Castleford boss Daryl Powell said: “It certainly looked pretty awkward.

“I saw Tommy Makinson apologise to him but it wasn’t a great thing to see.”

Several other Super League players received suspensions and Catalans Dragons are without Sam Tomkins and Sam Moa for Saturday’s Challenge Cup tie with Wakefield.

Tomkins received a one match ban for tripping Ryan Hampshire while Moa will sit out to for a high tackle on Romain Navarrete.

Trinity’s Reece Lyne piled on their woes after their 58-0 league loss to the Dragons on Saturday with a two match ban for making dangerous contact with Ben Jullien.

Wakefield also lost Lee Kershaw, Tony Gigot and Kelepi Tanginoa to injury and winger Liam Kay is cup-tied after appearing for Toronto Wolfpack.

Castleford’s Grant Millington (one match) and Warrington’s Ben Murdoch Masila (two matches) were also suspended.