The Rugby Football League (RFL) is facing a potential upheaval as several prominent professional rugby league coaches have co-signed a letter urging for Sheffield coach Mark Aston to be granted an independent appeal against his 18-month ban for violating the head injury protocol. Aston, who has been associated with the Eagles for nearly four decades as both a player and coach, and was named man of the match in their 1998 Challenge Cup final victory over Wigan, has been suspended until April 2026 after a tribunal concluded he "deliberately disregarded the rules" concerning head injuries earlier this year.
Aston selected Sheffield's half-back, Matty Marsh, for their cup tie against the Warriors in April, despite the player not being cleared by the club's medic, Hannah Cole, who believed the return-to-play protocol had not been properly followed. Aston maintains he was informed on the morning of the game that Marsh was available to play, but the necessary paperwork was not filed, and no notification was sent to Aston indicating the player's unavailability. The Eagles' physio, Mick Heys, contacted the RFL on the day of the game to confirm Marsh had passed the required tests. However, Cole did not sign off on Marsh, resulting in what the tribunal deemed a significant breach of protocol, though Aston's supporters argue it was merely an "administrative error in paperwork completion." Aston claims he was unaware of Marsh's unavailability.
The tribunal revealed that Aston was not included in relevant emails regarding Marsh's situation, and these emails were not disclosed due to "legal privileges." Aston immediately expressed his intention to appeal the ban, but his request for an independent hearing by Sport Resolutions was denied by the RFL. Aston has until November 18 to officially file an appeal, but there is mounting pressure for the appeal to be heard independently rather than by an RFL-appointed panel. The Guardian has learned that 15 active coaches have signed a letter, penned by Sheffield's iconic coach John Kear, who orchestrated their 1998 Challenge Cup win, calling for an independent hearing. The list is believed to include several Super League coaches, as well as individuals from France and Australia. Aston's supporters hope the involvement of such high-profile figures will persuade the governing body to allow Aston's appeal to be heard by Sport Resolutions.
The RFL has been approached for comment.
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