Wigan prop Ben Flower faces a huge ban as he apologises for vicious attack on Lance Hohaia and says there is 'no defence' for the punch that shamed Rugby League

It was an inexcusable attack and few have sought to offer mitigation, beyond reiterating the intensity of the derby between Wigan and Saints, two towns nine miles apart and with a fierce, long-standing rivalry.

But the sport now faces an uncomfortable week as it decides how to punish Flower and limit the damage to its image.

The incident will likely be referred to an independent disciplinary board, which will sit on Tuesday, chaired by High Court Judge Chris Batty and assisted by former players Danny Sculthorpe and Neil Turley.

There is no ceiling to the length of ban Flower could face, with some calling for him to be banned for life.

There is also a possibility that Flower could face criminal charges, despite both Hohaia and St Helens coach Nathan Brown stating they did not want a prosecution. 

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: ‘We will be liaising with the Rugby Football League, St. Helens and the Crown Prosecution Service before a decision is made on what course of action is to be taken.’

Flower apologised in a carefully constructed 188-word statement to the entire rugby league community.

On a weekend when the sport was basking in the spotlight, with no Premier League football, he ensured the match will be remembered for a moment of madness rather than a St Helens side who overcame adversity to win 14-6 and end an eight-year spell without a Grand Final triumph.

There was a festival atmosphere before the match with both sets of supporters mingling. One group held up placards spelling ‘RL New Era’ — but Flower’s punch harked back to the dark ages.

‘It’s rare the sport has such a window of opportunity for publicity, falling on an international weekend,’ said Phil Caplan, the editor of Forty-20 magazine.

‘It gave rugby league the sort of profile it’s been craving in the Super League era. The atmosphere at Old Trafford was as good as it ever has been. Then within two minutes the whole thing was turned on its head.’

‘That is almost the story of rugby league in microcosm — grasping for its opportunity but falling just short. It is sad that this punch will be the defining image of the 2014 season. I believe it was a one-off, uncharacteristic for the player and the sport.’

Hohaia, who watched the rest of the match from the dugout after the punch ended his game, could also face punishment for his off-the-ball shoulder charge on Flower which appeared to provoke the attack. The New Zealander was in a forgiving mood after the game.

‘Those things are best left on the field,’ he said. ‘Sometimes people do silly things that they regret. I am not a person who holds grudges. I am happy to leave that on the field and move forward.’

Flower’s Wigan team-mates, who fought bravely but were unable to hold on to their half-time lead, rallied in support of him. ‘It’s not the image the game wants to portray,’ said Matty Smith. 

‘He’s punched him on the floor and Benny will learn from that. He’ll be absolutely devastated but we’ll all be behind him. He’s a great lad, he’s passionate, he’s everything about the club, we love him to bits.’

The incident was replayed millions of times on the internet and prompted widespread national debate. The BBC decided it was too brutal to replay on its breakfast news bulletins.

‘I was already thinking about it on my drive into work because it’s a great story and a “wow” moment,’ said BBC Sports News senior producer Ian Kemp. 

‘The breakfast producers were talking about it when I arrived. They weren’t comfortable running the pictures. It’s the sheer brutality of it, the guy’s unconscious and takes one right in the face.’

There is little precedence in rugby league to suggest how this storyline will play out but the RFL are expected to work swiftly, with a decision on Flower’s punishment expected in a week.

One thing is for sure, the full impact of the punch that shocked the world is yet to be determined.