York Valkyrie captain Sinead Peach has been slapped with a four-game ban following her foul-mouthed tirade at referee Oliver Salmon, an incident that went viral after being broadcast live.
Peach was sent off late in her side’s 16-8 defeat to St Helens on 30 August, having aimed the words: “Which one are you sha**ing?” at the official after a contentious call.
The flashpoint, caught on Salmon’s live microphone, spread rapidly online and left the England international facing a misconduct charge. The Match Review Panel referred the case directly to a tribunal, citing “Grade E Other Contrary Behaviour.”
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Tribunal delivers its verdict
After an adjournment earlier this month to consider further evidence, the RFL’s Operational Rules Tribunal confirmed the punishment on Wednesday evening. “Sinead Peach of York Valkyrie has been suspended for four matches after being found guilty of a Grade E charge of Other Contrary Behaviour,” read the statement.
The suspension means Peach will sit out the rest of the season, including this weekend’s play-off semi-final rematch with Saints. She has already served the first match of her ban during York’s 30-14 defeat to Leeds Rhinos, leaving three more games to complete.
If Valkyrie progress to the Grand Final, that appearance will count towards her suspension, ensuring only one game would carry into the 2026 campaign. Alongside the ban, 24 points have been added to Peach’s disciplinary record.
It marks a dramatic end to the season for the former Woman of Steel, whose leadership on the field will be sorely missed at the business end of the competition.