Rugby League coach sees tribunal verdict delayed further

Sheffield Eagles have released a statement providing an update on head coach Mark Aston’s tribunal in front of the Rugby Football League.

Aston and the club’s physio, Mick Heys, were stood down and suspended by the club in late July as an investigation headed up by the Rugby Football League took place.

A statement from the Eagles confirmed that the pair had been stood down on a “no-fault basis” as the investigation played out. It marked a huge turning point for the Eagles who would slip all the way outside the play-offs, losing seven of their last nine matches to see them finish seventh.

Even more agonising was that Sheffield missed the play-offs on points difference, losing their final game of the season to relegated Dewsbury Rams who had been priced as massive 33/1 underdogs.

Now, Sheffield Eagles have released a fresh statement after Aston and Heys faced up against the RFL’s Operational Rules Tribunal.

Rugby League head coach faces tribunal

The ORT has now been held and it’s been confirmed that the Eagles will receive a written judgment “within 10 days”, meaning there still is no verdict on the matter.

A statement from the Eagles read: “Further to the Club Statement on the 4th September, the Sheffield Eagles Board of Directors would like to provide an update on the medical compliance matter which has resulted in the club, Head Coach Mark Aston, and Physio Mick Heys, being called to face an Operational Rules Tribunal.

“All Parties attended the ORT on the evening of Thursday 17th October 2024, and were informed that a written judgement would be prepared and shared within 10 days.

“Whilst the Board understands that there is significant interest in the case from its stakeholders, especially from its loyal supporters who would like to gain a fuller understanding of the situation, the Board asks for understanding that in order to protect the interests of all those involved in the Tribunal, it will not make a further statement on this matter until after the written judgement has been received and any implications fully discussed and understood.”

Recent reports from Yorkshire Live have linked Sheffield Eagles with departing Leeds Rhinos hooker Corey Johnson suggesting that the club is still actively recruiting for 2025, despite the fate of their head coach being unclear.