Rugby League referee Sam Ansell has announced he will be leaving the RFL to pursue other career opportunities.
He was promoted to the full time team in January, after a successful 10 years as a part-time referee across the Kingstone Press Championship and Kingstone Press League 1 competitions. However, he was stood down earlier this year after the RFL launched an internal investigation, and has now left the governing body.
He has taken charge of a number of high profile games in the Championship including Leigh Centurions v Bradford Bulls at the Summer Bash in Blackpool this year.
RFL Chief Operating Officer, Ralph Rimmer, said: “Sam’s been a great addition to the group of full-time referees this year and we would like to thank him for what he has contributed to the game over the last ten years.
“We respect his decision to pursue other career opportunities and wish him the best of luck. We haven’t ruled out Sam returning as a part-time match official at some point in the future.”