Whatever we might think about this one-off incident, the RFL clearly have a huge problem with this year's disciplinary process. If they want to keep it, at the least they need to find a way to explain it to fans and the sport's media in a way we can understand, as well as taking greater steps to show fans that the process is genuinely independent (thinking about the histories and allegiances of ex-players on the panel), consistent, equitable and transparent - all things that look massively questionable at present.
I think we can all agree with many of the bans Leeds players have received this season, including those for Bentley and Tetevano, and even Newman's tantrum. It's the small 1-2 game bans that few people comment on during the game (including the match officials, apparently) that need looking at. Perhaps these smaller infringements can be dealt with in a different way?
On bias, while it
seems that Leeds are disproportionately targeted in the heat of the moment, I doubt there is any statistically significant bias , even if we have had more bans than most other teams (?).
That said, one thing I'm not sure about is whether Catalans get special preferential treatment when playing at home - Brian Mac made this point a long time ago, and the treatment of Catalans players by match officials in recent years (on and off the field) has tended to confirm this sense (IMO). Remember the play-off game when McIlorum blatantly targeted Leeds players illegally, with no on-field action helping Catalans win the game? McIllorum went on to receive a lengthy ban, allowing Catalans to progress and ultimately benefiting their next round opponents (Saints).
