Zak Hardaker handed five-match ban for homophobic abuse

Leeds Rhinos full-back Zak Hardaker has been banned for five matches after being found guilty of homophobic abuse.

The 22-year-old faced an RFL investigation over the alleged comments after he was caught on television apparently directing homophobic abuse towards referee James Child.

The incident took place during Leeds's match against Warrington Wolves at the end of last month, a game that the Rhinos went on to lose 24-6.

Hardaker was handed the ban, along with a £300 fine, by an independent disciplinary tribunal, which took almost four hours to come to a decision on the matter.

The England international was facing a suspension of between four and eight matches having been charged with a Grade E offence by the league.