Aston fined for referee abuse

Sheffield coach Mark Aston has been fined by the RFL for verbally abusing a referee during a Championship match in August.

Aston, who went on to lead the Eagles to Grand Final glory for the first time, was found guilty of using foul and abusive language to a match referee, and deemed to be in breach of RFL Operational Rule D.18 (c) (Prejudicial Conduct) and the sport’s Respect Policy.

The incident happened in a match against Halifax at the Shay on August 5th, where Sheffield went on to lose 30-26.

Of his £250 fine, £125 was suspended until the end of next season.

Aston has recently led the Ireland national team in their Alitalia Cup games against Scotland and England Knights.

Hunslet assistant coach Mark Cass has also been fined £100 after he was found guilty of using foul and abusive language towards a referee during a Championship game against Halifax in March.

He pleaded not guilty, but was deemed in breach of the RFL’s Operational Rules by a tribunal.

Earlier this season, Rochdale coach John Stankevitch was fined £1000 for verbally abusing a match official during a Northern Rail Cup match against Keighley in February.