Rugby League: Bans on Coach and Physio
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
Mark Aston, the leader, and Mick Heys, the Physio, of ‘Sheffield Eagles’ have been banned by the Rugby Football League (RFL) for breaching medical compliance rules.
The breaches concern the player, Matty Marsh, and his appearance, without the required medical clearance, in a Challenge Cup match on 13 March 2024, 13 days after suffering a head injury.
Aston is banned from coaching and holding any senior role involving team selection until 30 April 2026; whilst Heys has been banned for 18 months from holding any medical role in the sport. However, six months of the latter’s ban has been suspended for 12 months, because he admitted his conduct when charged.
All parties have 14 days, from 22 October 2024, in which to file an appeal.
The RFL stated:
“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.”
The chairman of the Tribunal, Judge J C Batty, stated that Aston and Heys had committed very serious breaches of the operational rules and, therefore, had to face significant penalties.
And added:
“Head contact has become a serious issue in professional rugby in both codes of the game.”
Last year, it was reported that 378 former football, rugby league and rugby union players were taking legal action claiming that they had suffered brain injuries in their sports.
Safety in sport, especially in contact sports, is the name of the game!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
