Steve Ganson quits role as Head of Match Officials after controversy

Steve Ganson will leave the RFL on 31 December 2023 by mutual consent.

Ganson was appointed Head of Match Officials in 2016, having previously been the RFL’s Match Officials Coach and Technical Director.

Before that, he was one of the sport’s leading match officials. In total, he took charge of more than 400 professional games between 1995 and 2013, and was one of Rugby League’s first group of full-time officials when they were appointed in 2007.

His major match appointments included two Super League Grand Finals, three Challenge Cup Finals and two World Club Challenge fixtures, and he was the video referee for the 2008 World Cup Final between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane. He was then appointed to the role of Head Coach of match officials in the Covid-delayed Rugby League World Cup tournament in the UK in 2022.

Steve Ganson:

“The role of Head of Match Officials is a challenging and rewarding one but not always in equal measure. However, I will miss working day to day with the Referees and the staff, alongside the clubs.

“I have had the opportunity throughout the departmental review to consider the future direction I wish to take personally, and I have reached the conclusion where I feel it’s the right time to pursue some other options in my career in 2024.”

The RFL thanks Steve for his commitment to the game and wishes him all the best for the future.

This all comes after controversy brewed around Ganson and his department at the start of 2023 with the RFL beginning an internal review.

Nearly 12 months after the commencement of this review, no decision was reached – or at least published – by the RFL. However, the two parties have now agreed to part company in time for a new beginning in the new year.

Ganson routinely showed a keenness to protect his referees during his time in the role famously defending Liam Moore after Bernard Guasch heavily criticised the referee following the 2021 Grand Final.

After the Grand Final, the Catalans Dragons owner Guasch said the French club would not participate in another Grand Final with an English referee.

He was heavily punished with Ganson a key figure in standing up for Moore.