Ben Flower was sent off for punching Lance Hohaia at Old Trafford

Wigan forward Ben Flower has been banned for six months for his attack on Lance Hohaia during Saturday's Grand Final defeat to St Helens.

The suspension prevents Flower from playing again until April 14 and amounts to a 13-game ban, comprising two pre-season trials, Wigan's World Club Challenge meeting with Brisbane Broncos on February 21 and the first 10 games of the 2015 Super League season.

It comes after he was hit by a Grade F charge by the RFL match-review panel, the most severe option open to them.

Tony Rea says ban is 'on the money'. Tony Rea says ban is 'on the money'.

Flower's two punches - the second of which was thrown while Hohaia was lying on the floor - marred the early stages at Old Trafford and Hohaia, who went to see a specialist and to have scans on his cheekbone on Monday afternoon, has accepted a one-match ban for his off-the-ball forearm strike that sparked the incident.

No Wigan appeal

Wigan football manager Kris Radlinski read a club statement after the hearing, saying: "Wigan Warriors would like to go on record as saying that the Rugby Football League disciplinary commission handled a very difficult situation with professionalism and integrity. We fully support their assessment of Saturday night's incident involving our player Ben Flower. We will be making no appeal.

Watch Ben Flower see red Watch Ben Flower see red

"We would like to apologise to Lance Hohaia and his family and to the St Helens club and fans. St Helens' win on Saturday has been overshadowed by the incident and that is wrong.

"The Grand Final was an incredible game and St Helens were worthy winners. We hope our respect and healthy rivalry can remain intact and that both clubs can return to Old Trafford in the near future and showcase properly the exciting spectacle that Rugby League is.

"Ben has issued an apology and is full of remorse for his actions. We will work hard to repair any damage caused to the reputation of Rugby League."

St Helens had spoken to Greater Manchester Police through chief executive Mike Rush, but confirmed after the hearing they would not be pursuing any separate legal action.

Saints stand by Wigan

Saints chairman Eamonn McManus said: "These matters have to be dealt with by the appropriate body within the game and it has been.

"Whilst serving his ban it is critical that Ben is now provided all due personal and professional support. His rehabilitation is now paramount. During the period of his ban he will be no more than a 25-year-old boy who will be extremely vulnerable emotionally.

"We must assist him in any way that we can and accept him back into the sport. There is a person behind the player and I am reliably informed by all that it is a good one. He must know that from all. Lance Hohaia certainly feels that way towards him also.

"The sport of Rugby League should not be judged by this event but by how it deals with it.

"(Wigan's) Ian Lenagan is a strong chairman of a great club and I know that he will look beyond mere effect and more at cause. If anything is identified and needs to be dealt with then he will. St Helens stand firmly at the side of Wigan at this time."

It is the second heaviest ban of the Super League era. Terry Newton, the late former Great Britain hooker, was suspended for 10 matches for knocking out Lee Gilmour and breaking the cheekbone of Sean Long while playing for Wigan against St Helens in 2005 but the ban was extended to seven months when his appeal was rejected.