The first European Match Officials Panel has been formed to deal with appointments for sanctioned international fixtures in the jurisdiction of the RLEF, as well as managing international development and performance pathways for referees and touch judges.

 The MOP comprises of RLEF match official manager Tom Mather, Federation Française de Rugby XIII’s Mohamed Drizza and the Rugby Football League’s Steve Ganson.

 Drizza, who was last year appointed head of the Commission Centrale des Arbitres, said: “The Match Officials Panel is an opportunity for the development of European refereeing. It will ensure greater diversity in appointments and therefore credibility in European competitions. It's a chance to redefine a more European identity for the sport.”

 England head of match officials Ganson, added: “I have a huge respect for international rugby league and the experiences our officials gain from being part of it. It’s imperative that we manage international development alongside performance pathways for match officials.”

 Mather noted, “This is a great stride forward in international match officiating, to have a core panel with a consistent approach to appointments. It is an integral part of the RLEF 2021 Match Officials strategy which aims to improve officiating development and opportunities across the federation.”