Ex-RFL president demands review into Mark Aston case amid Sheffield coach's 18-month ban

Former RFL president John Whaling has demanded a ‘full and fair review’ into the governing body’s handling of the Mark Aston case.

The Sheffield Eagles head coach has copped an 18 month-ban for breaking player welfare policy.

Along with club physio Mick Heys, Aston was of allowing full-back Matty Marsh to play in Sheffield’s Challenge Cup tie at Wigan in March without the necessary medical clearance following an earlier concussion.

The bans were imposed by an independent Operational Rules Tribunal following an RFL compliance investigation.

Heys saw six months of his 18 month ban suspended for immediately admitting his offence and showing remorse.

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He said he told Aston on the coach to Wigan that Marsh had passed the relevant return to play tests but had not been signed off by the club doctor.

He informed the tribunal that long-serving Aston, who won the Lance Todd Trophy when Sheffield famously lifted the Challenge Cup in 1998 and remains the most instrumental figure in the club’s history, replied: “We will deal with the consequences later.”

But Aston, 57, denies ever saying that, has vowed to fight to clear his name and will launch an appeal.

Whaling, meanwhile, is part of a coalition of senior rugby league figures, including ex-club directors and major investors in the sport, which has formed an independent group to campaign for a review of the suspensions and a reform of the RFL's head injury protocols.

A former Eagles director and chief executive who served as RFL president from 2011 to 2012, he said: “The deeper we dig into Mark Aston's case, the more concerning questions emerge about the RFL's handling of this matter.

“A crucial email was sent directly to the RFL on the morning of the Wigan game indicating the player wasn't cleared to play - an email that neither Mark Aston nor Mick Heys were copied into or aware of - yet no action was taken to prevent him from playing. “Now the RFL is claiming legal privilege to avoid disclosing who received this email and why no intervention occurred.”

He added: “The tribunal process itself raises serious concerns about independence and fairness.

“While funded and organised by the RFL, the tribunal refused to hear from key witnesses requested by Mark's legal team, while investigation notes were destroyed before the process concluded. “What’s undisputed - even by the RFL and in the tribunal's own findings - is that Matty Marsh was completely fit to play, had passed all his tests, and showed no symptoms.

“The punishment - two 18-month bans - appears severely disproportionate for what was essentially an administrative error, especially given the medical facts of the case. This is a matter that demands a full and fair review."

An RFL spokesman said: “It would be inappropriate to comment while the appeals window is open.”