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Ian Smith opens up on being left “humiliated” by RFL exit thanks to powerpoint slide

Ian Smith was one of the best Super League officials we have seen.

Smith also officiated at international level including throughout the 2009 Four Nations.

He was also at the heart of some major moments in Super League history such as when he famously sent off Wigan Warriors’ Gareth Hock for manhandling him which led to Hock being suspended for the rest of the 2008 Super League season as Wigan missed out on the Grand Final in defeat to Leeds Rhinos in the semi-finals.

However, he has not been involved in the RFL for seven years and today, on the anniversary of his exit, Ian Smith reflected upon no longer being needed by the RFL which left him “gutted and devastated.”

He took to Twitter to reflect on his heartbreaking exit:

“Seven years ago today I went into a pre season meeting with all the match officials to be shown via a ppt slide that I was no longer needed or wanted by the RFL. Gutted, devastated, humiliated and upset. From rock bottom, the only way is up.

“It was a bit of a shock. I’d have preferred them to let me know first rather than scanning around the slide looking for my name against a role in the ‘restructuring’ of the dept. Sometimes one door closing allows us an opportunity to open another door.”

A heartbreaking exit for Smith, now though he is doing brilliant work for the State of Mind charity.

Serious About Rugby League have contacted the RFL for comment.

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