Bradford Bulls rivals Sheffield have Mark Aston banned

He and club physio Mick Heys have been severely punished after the club played Matty Marsh in a Betfred Challenge Cup tie at Wigan in March.

Marsh had suffered a head injury in the Eagles’ Championship game against Swinton 13 days earlier, and had not received the necessary medical clearance to return to action against the Warriors.

Aston and Heys were suspended in mid-season as a result, and without them Sheffield slid down the table, dropping out of the play-off places at the last after a dreadful final day defeat to rock-bottom Dewsbury.

They would have been hoping to return to their roles at Sheffield ahead of the 2025 season, but the tribunal ruling on Tuesday, with the outcome announced today, has put paid to that.

Aston has been banned from coaching in rugby league or holding any senior position within the sport which might involve any influence over team selection until April 30, 2026.

As for Heys, he has been suspended for 18 months from holding a medical position in rugby league, but six months of his sentence has been suspended for 12 months.

This is in recognition of the fact that he “admitted his conduct at the outset” and “has apologised and expressed significant remorse”, meaning his suspension runs until October 31, 2025.

The 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. 

In imposing the sentences HHJ C Batty, the Tribunal Chair, wrote: “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.”

Matty Marsh, whose head injury has sparked this whole situation, tries and fails to stop Bulls' Zac Fulton scoring at Odsal in May. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Judge Batty’s remarks also include the following passage: “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. 

“The rules are detailed and specific and most of all are to be rigidly observed. The RFL has a responsibility to ensure that those who play, coach, manage and run the teams in the game and those who provide medical assistance within the game abide by those rules.

“As stated above they are a minimum standard in respect of player welfare. 

“The GRTP [Graduated Return to Play protocol] is a policy that was deliberately designed to be overseen by a doctor or appropriately qualified healthcare equivalent.

“Only those deemed qualified are permitted to make a final assessment as to the fitness and therefore availability of a player subject to the process.

“The consequences of a player returning to contact without the appropriate assessment could increase the risk of long term cognitive or neurological disorders. 

“As the RFL rightly describes it in their skeleton, the GRTP is a safeguard in the Medical Standards which form an important part of the Operational Rules and it should be strictly adhered to.

“Player welfare is and should be paramount. Those who fail to comply with the rules must be brought to account.”