Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has slammed the decision to overlook Kevin Sinfield for a knighthood. The New Year Honours list was released earlier this week with Gareth Southgate and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan being the the two stand out names to be given knighthoods for 2025.
Four rugby league personalities were honoured, with Huddersfield Giants owner Ken Davy receiving an OBE alongside long-serving match official Tony Martin. Leeds Rhinos chairman Paul Caddick has been honoured with an MBE, as has former England captain Andrea Dobson.
But, there was nothing for Sinfield, who has just completed his fifth challenge for the motor neurone disease community. Sinfield, who already has a CBE, raised £1.3million earlier this month, after running 50km a day in seven regions across the country.
He raised approximately £10m over his four previous challenges and his latest efforts made headlines once more, especially as he completed the challenge while carrying a leg injury.
Of course, Sinfield has been running with the purpose of earning money for MND charities following Rob Burrow’s diagnosis in 2019, but many felt the former Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain star deserved a knighthood as recognition for the difference he has managed to make.
His name didn’t feature on the honours list, though, and that has created public outcry on social media, with Barton being just one to mention the England rugby union coach.
The outspoken former footballer wrote on social media: “Sadiq Khan and Gareth Southgate getting Knighthoods is rewarding failure in my opinion.
“Doesn’t surprise me after King Charlie’s utterly out of touch Christmas speech. If anyone deserves a Knighthood it was Kevin Sinfield.”
Bookmakers Betfred also paid tribute to Sinfield, posting on X: “Kevin Sinfield is the pride of Rugby League.
“In 2024 alone he has raised over £1 million for Motor Neurone Disease charities and, in total, has raised a whopping £11 million with his incredible fundraising work over the years.
“Despite a serious muscle injury, he completed a 230-mile run this December, finishing seven ultra marathons in seven days.
“His dedication to raising awareness for MND is remarkable. You’ll always be Sir Kevin Sinfield to us.”
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Ian Ferguson
December 31, 2024 at 4:30 pm
Disgraceful that Kevin Sinfield did not receive a knighthood after his recent efforts over the years,over 11 million pounds raised in recent years,
Jane Airey
January 2, 2025 at 12:19 am
He has always been Sir Kev to us in Leeds!
David Kirk
December 31, 2024 at 4:47 pm
Typical of this floored system, you get honoured for failure and not being liked ie Southgate and khan yet nothing for a remarkable human like (Sir Kevin Sinfield)
Mr Graham Jones
December 31, 2024 at 6:07 pm
He got a CBE last year. It’s beyond rare to get a higher honour the next year. He will get his deserved Knighthood in due course.
David Branchett
December 31, 2024 at 7:56 pm
Kevin deserves every honour in the book. The system is deeply flawed, This lack of a knighthood is exacerbated by looking at the list of those nonentities who actually did receive one. It would appear that in this era Britain only honours useless tossers!
Anonymous
January 1, 2025 at 12:25 am
Very well said well done.
Colin Smith
December 31, 2024 at 8:30 pm
Exactly
It seems like Rugby League doesn’t count when it comes to the “ESTABLISHMENT” what has Sadiq Khan exactly done,he was part of the Grenfield scandal!!!
Disgusting treatment from the king
Even his son has nothing but praise for Kevin.
Heather Grice
December 31, 2024 at 10:41 pm
Disgusting that Southgate gets rewarded for doing nothing. Kevin is more than worthy of any accolade.
Mr James Fletcher
January 1, 2025 at 5:38 pm
Obviously have to agree with these comments. I doubt if it is of any concern to Mr Sinfield as being good is its own reward. I didnt see the kings speech so cannot comment on that bu i dont think he actually gets to make the decisiins
David Stoner
January 1, 2025 at 11:38 pm
King Kev shouldn’t be Knighted. Being called Sir is now seriously tainted with the Knighthood of the terrorists friend Sadman Khan. He should be given a Lordship so he can use Parliament to speak out about MND. The honour system is morally bankrupt apart from the local heroes like Kev Sinfield who do great things for charity.