'Nothing short of an absolute disgrace' - Sinfield snubbing blasted

The apparent decision not to include new England rugby defence coach Kevin Sinfield in the New Year's honours list has been put on blast on social media.

Sinfield was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to rugby league and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to rugby league football and charitable fundraising.

However, the decision not to fully Knight Sinfield has ruffled feathers, not least given his ongoing charity work in relation to Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

The 42-year-old has raised over £7m for charity and championed research in support of ex-Leeds teammate Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND, his fundraising also honours former rugby union player Doddie Weir and former footballer Stephen Darby, both of whom were diagnosed with the life-limiting disease.

Many expressed their upset that the new England rugby union defence coach had not been made a 'Sir'.

One account posted: "Sorry but not having Kevin Sinfield in the New Years honours list is nothing short of an absolute disgrace. Can only hope it’s an error quickly rectified."

Reporter Daniel Moxon wrote: "Despite his heroic fundraising efforts for MND research in support of his great mate Rob Burrow, Kevin Sinfield has been overlooked for a knighthood in the New Year's Honours list. A pretty glaring omission, in my book."

"Could anyone tell me how on earth Kevin Sinfield has been overlooked AGAIN in the New Year's Honours List? It makes a completely mockery of the entire system when someone so deserving of the highest recognition is ignored," wrote another.

Former Wales player Lee Jarvis wrote: "It should be SIR Kevin Sinfield after the new year, BUT nothing at all. He should be giving out the medals. Shocking... Honouring the best? My ass."

Another rugby league account wrote: "I have to say that the honours list this year is absolutely appalling. Firstly, all the Lionesses team should of got a MBE, the England RL Wheelchair team should of been recognised and Kevin Sinfield should of been a Sir."

Another frustrated Tweeter wrote: "That Kevin Sinfield has not been given a knighthood in the #NewYearsHonours is disgraceful. He deserved one for his achievements on the field alone, but what he has done over the last three years for his friend Rob Burrow and the entire MND community is nothing short of amazing."

Some have suggested that Sinfield's recently awarded MBE in 2021 meant that he would not be considered for a Knighthood - not yet at least - as a result, with a mandatory three-year hiatus between honours being the norm.

Sinfield started playing rugby league at Waterhead ARLFC. He was a player, captain and director of rugby for Leeds Rhinos where he led the team to seven Super League championships and two Challenge Cup successes. He was a loose forward as well as a stand-off.

He played 26 rugby league tests for England which he captained and 14 tests for Great Britain. He holds the record for the highest points-scorer in Super League history and earned many individual accolades including the Lance Todd Trophy (2005), Harry Sunderland Trophy (2009, 2012) and the Golden Boot (2012).

Sinfield has been defence coach alongside new England head coach Steve Borthwick in their record-breaking run at Leicester Tigers. He now joins Borthwick in the English national side as they plot a Guinness Six Nations triumph in 2023.