Controversy Erupts as Female Rugby Player’s Remark Sparks Instant Red Card from Male Referee
So picture this: a fierce women’s rugby league match between York Valkyrie, our reigning champs, and St Helens, already buzzing with drama—and then bam! York’s captain, Sinead Peach, gets booted off the pitch after allegedly tossing a cheeky, dare I say downright spicy comment at the referee, Ollie Salmon. Really, how often do you see a sports moment turn into a live mic drama that’s got folks whispering—or rather, shouting—across social media? Now, if you’re wondering what could possibly have set off such an explosive exchange during a game that had a nail-biting comeback from an 8-0 lead, you’re not alone. Let’s just say, this incident was less about the scoreboard and more about the words that caused a red card faster than you can say “sportsmanship.” Ready for the behind-the-scenes scoop on this rugby showdown turned verbal showdown? LEARN MORE
A women’s rugby league player was promptly sent off the pitch after allegedly making a rude remark to a male referee.
York Valkyrie captain Sinead Peach was sent packing off the playing field with her tail between her legs on Saturday (30 August) after supposedly getting lippy with Ollie Salmon.
Her team, the reigning champions, were taking on St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium this weekend when she was sent off for dissent.
The rugby match in Merseyside was already action-packed before the incident took place, as St Helens had an incredible comeback to counter York’s 8-0 lead.
Rhiannon Marshall’s penalty and Savannah Andrade’s try in the early stages of the second period got Peach’s side ahead, until Emily Rudge and Phoebe Hook’s efforts changed the game.
Sinead Peach was sent packing after riling up the referee on Saturday (Women’s Super League)
Faye Gaskin then helped seal the deal with a last-minute penalty, resulting in an 18-8 victory for St Helens. However, it’s Peach’s alleged potty mouth that is the talk of the town, rather than the players’ sporting prowess.
The referee paused play to give a penalty to St Helens at one point, explaining: “The ball’s been played at, the foot’s been stuck out and then you’ve made an attempt to kick.”
Apparently, Peach, 27, wasn’t satisfied with this reasoning and is alleged to have made a savage comment to Salmon.
Although this wasn’t picked up by his microphone, the aftermath was – and sports fans watching live then heard him tell the mother-of-one that she was being sent off.
Ollie Salmon didn’t take her alleged comment too kindly (Women’s Super League)
Explaining his rationale for the decision to York’s captain, the referee was heard saying: “I’m not having any of that…that’s the decision.
“I’m not having you saying, ‘Which one are you sh*gging’. You’re off.”
Footage of the exchange has been going viral on social media, leaving fans stunned by the allegedly crass comment made by Peach.
You can watch it for yourself here, but be warned, the video does contain strong language:
In the clip, a commentator can be heard saying of Salmon’s decision to kick the rugby star into touch by giving her a red card: “Typically, if it’s a red, it’s a direct comment to the ref. We’ve had Ollie Salmon ref Leeds quite a few times, and he’s a very lenient ref, so it must have been something.”
It certainly was quite something.
That’s what people online think anyway, as a host of rugby fans took to X to share their thoughts on Peach’s comment.
The York captain has not yet addressed the controversy (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
One person said: “Crazy thing to say to a ref, just begging for the sending off there,” while another added: “Wow absolutely vile comments from the York player. Kudos to the referee for showing her the red card.”
A third wrote: “Fair play referee. Red Card all day long. Very surprising comments from the York captain.”
A fourth simply said: “Rugby League never fails.”
Peach has not yet publicly addressed the controversy.
LADbible has contacted York RLFC for comment.
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