Former Super League Woman of Steel Sinead Peach handed hefty ban following viral red card

Following her viral red card, former Super League Woman of Steel Sinead Peach has been handed a hefty ban.

Peach claimed that award in 2023 as York Valkyrie did the double, winning the League Leaders Shield and the Grand Final.

Ahead of this year’s play-offs, which start this weekend with the semi-finals, Peach has been handed a four-game ban following her viral red card, although one game is back-dated so she will actually only miss a further three games.

The Valkyrie will play St Helens on the road on Sunday evening in a repeat of last year’s Grand Final with Saints being the side that Peach was playing against when she sustained her disciplinary charge.

Peach was sent off with the referee, who was inadvertently picked up on the mic, explaining that she had asked him ‘Which one of them are you shagging’, resulting in a Grade E charge for ‘other contrary behaviour’.

An initial hearing was set for last week before being delayed but the verdict is now in, with Peach banned for four games.

Women’s Super League star Sinead Peach banned for four matches

A statement from the RFL’s Match Review Panel confirmed the verdict, revealing: “Sinead Peach of York Valkyrie has been suspended for four matches after being found guilty of a Grade E charge of Other Contrary Behaviour by the RFL’s independent Operational Rules Tribunal.

“The Tribunal began on September 9 but was adjourned to allow further evidence to be presented, following Peach’s dismissal in a Betfred Women’s Super League fixture against St Helens on August 30.

“The parties had already agreed that Peach would serve the first match of any suspension in York’s BWSL fixture against Leeds Rhinos last Sunday, so she has three matches remaining to serve – with 24 points added to her disciplinary record.”

As a result of the ban, she will miss the Women’s Super League Grand Final, should York make it.

Serious About Rugby League has launched a brand new podcast which can be watched in full on our YouTube channel here.

Previously, York chairman Clint Goodchild had released a statement confirming Peach had “expressed genuine remorse immediately”.