Rugby league head coach banned for 18 MONTHS over ‘serious’ breach of safety protocol
A RUGBY LEAGUE coach has been hit with a mammoth 18-month ban after breaching the game’s welfare policy.
Mark Aston, 57, selected a player during a Challenge Cup tie without waiting for the necessary medical clearance.
Aston, who has coached the Sheffield Eagles since 1999, played outside-back Matty Marsh against Wigan Warriors in March.
Marsh had suffered a head injury just 13 days earlier in a Championship fixture with Swinton Lions.
He was therefore ineligible to play due to the league’s safeguarding rules on concussions and head trauma.
Aston and the club’s physio, Mick Heys, faced a tribunal following the incident.
The Eagles coach has now been hit with an unprecedented 18-month ban from rugby league.
It means he will be unable to coach or hold any senior position within the sport until April 30, 2026.
Heys apologized for his role, “admitting his conduct at the outset” and “expressing significant remorse.”
As a result, his 18-month ban includes six months suspended, meaning he can return to physio duties from October 31, 2025.
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HHJ C Batty, the Tribunal Chair, said: “These are very serious breaches of the Operational Rules designed to protect the welfare of those who play the game.
“For the reasons set out above the penalties for those who breach these rules must be significant.
“Head contact has become a serious issue in professional rugby in both codes of the game.
“Both codes have recognised the need to implement rule changes, safety procedures and medical protocols in order to lessen the incidence of head contact and the impact of it upon those who play.
“The processes adopted are the result of detailed research and consultation with many medical experts.
“They are accepted to be the minimum standard to ensure the safety of those who play the game.
“Player welfare is and should be paramount. Those who fail to comply with the rules must be brought to account.”
The RFL added in a statement: “Sheffield Eagles were a party to the tribunal and the RFL expects to reach an agreed decision with the club pursuant to operational rules and pending the outcome of any appeal process which is likely to involve a considerable fine and a monitoring, improvement and educational plan.”
Aston has the right to appeal for 14 days following the verdict.
Sheffield Eagles had stood him down on a “no-fault” basis since the allegations first arose in July this year.
A legend of the club, Aston has spent his entire coaching career with the Eagles.
Prior to their merger with the Huddersfield Giants, he played as a scrum half and won the Challenge Cup with the Eagles in 1998.