Rugby League

Police looking into Ben Flower death threats

ESPN staff

October 15, 2014

Ben Flower was given a six-month ban for punching Lance Hohaia © Getty Images

Enlarge

Police are investigating death threats made to Ben Flower after the Wigan prop twice punched St Helens' Lance Hohaia in the Super League Grand Final last Saturday.

Several tweets were posted on an account on Tuesday and were directed at Flower, who was sent off just two minutes into the final at Old Trafford last weekend. One stated that he "deserved to be shot" while another claimed he was a "dead man."

Flower received a six-month ban for his actions from the Rugby Football League (RFL) after he was charged with a Grade F offence of "violent and aggressive punching" and "punching an off-guard opponent". His dismissal came after he landed two punches on Hohaia, one of which was while his opponent was on the floor.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) took to the social networking site to clarify the situation:

We've been made aware of abusive social media activity about the Rugby League Grand Final.Please be reassured that we are looking into this.
— G M Police (@gmpolice) October 14, 2014

Hohaia was suspended for one match by the RFL after he submitted an early guilty plea to the Grade B offence he was charged with, for striking Flower with a forearm.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident, although no members of the public have made complaints regarding what happened on the pitch. The incident marred St Helens' 14-6 victory over Wigan, which saw them clinch their first Super League title for eight years.