Kevin Sinfield will have to wait until he can officially be called ‘Sir’ with reports suggesting that he’s been snubbed for a knighthood once again.
It’s not really a surprise given the apparent protocol that states that honours cannot be upgraded within three years of being awarded, however, there was some speculation that rule would be lifted.
According to The Times, that is not the case, with Kevin Sinfield set to again miss out on his much-deserved knighthood in the upcoming New Years Honours.
The rugby league legend last earned an honour in 2023 when he was awarded a CBE and per the protocols surrounding the honours system, they cannot be upgraded within three years.
As such, Sinfield looks set to have to wait until next year before he can finally land the knighthood, at which point he would become just the second rugby league player to ever be knighted after Billy Boston was made a Sir earlier this year.
Kevin Sinfield set to wait another year for knighthood
Wigan Warriors legend, Boston, was knighted in the summer as part of the King’s Birthday Honours, with the Welsh star becoming the first rugby league figure to earn the accolade in the sport’s 130-year history.
It is widely expected that Kevin Sinfield will join him with that being a matter of when, not if, but per these latest reports, the answer is not in 2025.
Since retiring from rugby league, Sinfield has gone on to coach in rugby union but it’s been his incredible fundraising efforts that have led to calls for him to be knighted.
Following former teammate Rob Burrow’s diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease in late 2019, Sinfield has done yearly fundraising efforts with over £11 million raised so far.
Earlier this month, he completed his sixth annual fundraiser as he ran seven ultra-marathons in seven days across seven different regions of the UK.
Such incredible efforts have understandably led to calls for him to become Sir Kevin Sinfield but it seems that he will have to wait one more year, when he takes on his seventh and final 7 in 7 challenge.
It’s already been confirmed that he will take in all of the English-based Super League clubs and then finish at the Super League Grand Final.
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