The Rugby Football League is facing a potential revolt after a number of leading professional rugby league coaches signed a letter demanding that Sheffield coach Mark Aston be allowed to appeal independent appeal against his 18-month suspension for head injury violation. protocol.
Aston, who has been involved with the Eagles for almost 40 years as a player and manager and was man of the match in their 1998 Challenge Cup final victory over Wigan, has been told he will be suspended until April 2026 after a court determined it was “deliberately”. flouted the rules” following head injuries earlier this year.
Aston selected Sheffield half-back Matty Marsh in their cup match against Wigan in April, although the player was not approved by club doctor Hannah Cole as she felt the protocol for return to play had not been followed correctly.
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The manager insists he had been informed on the morning of the match that Marsh was available to play, but the appropriate paperwork was not completed and sent to the Sheffield manager to inform him of the unavailability of the player. Eagles physiotherapist Mick Heys contacted the RFL on match day to say Marsh had passed the relevant tests.
However, Cole did not sign Marsh, leading to what the court considered to be a serious breach of protocol, but what Aston supporters argue was an “administrative error in completing the paperwork” . Aston said he was unaware of Marsh’s unavailability.
But, according to the court, relevant emails regarding Marsh’s situation were not copied, and those emails were not disclosed to the court due to “legal privileges.” Aston almost immediately signaled their intention to appeal the ban, but a request for it to be heard by independent body Sport Resolutions was refused by the RFL.
Aston has until Monday, November 18 to formally appeal, but a growing number of appeals require its decision to be heard independently rather than through an RFL-appointed panel. The Guardian understands that 15 active coaches have signed a letter written by legendary former Sheffield manager John Kear, who masterminded their Challenge Cup triumph in 1998, calling for an independent hearing.
That list is understood to include several Super League coaches as well as figures in France and Australia, and Aston supporters will hope the caliber of those involved will convince the governing body to allow Aston to have their appeal heard by Sport Resolutions.
The RFL has been contacted for comment.