Hull FC win appeal against Lee Radford play-off ban

Radford was linked to Hull KR before signing a new deal last week

Hull FC have won their appeal against the one-match ban handed to forward Lee Radford, enabling him to play in this Saturday's play-off against Hull KR.

Radford was found guilty of a grade A offence for punching Leeds Rhinos' Ryan Bailey in Hull's 18-14 home defeat.

But an RFL Appeals Tribunal has lifted the ban, accepting that only one of the punches thrown made contact and that Radford had been provoked by Bailey.

It was Radford's first red card in 15 seasons as a Rugby League professional.

And the RFL panel took that into consideration, although upholding the guilty verdict and ruling that that the £300 fine handed down by the RFL Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday night should stand.

The lifting of the ban makes Radford available for selection for the Super League elimination play-off clash against Hull KR, the side who tried to sign him, prior to his decision last week to sign a new two-year deal and stay at the KC Stadium.