SUTTON IS LEAVING HIS ROLE

RFL chief executive Tony Sutton is to stand down as changes at the top of the sport continue.

- BY DAVE CRAVEN

He has been in charge for almost three years but the governing body has come under fierce criticism in recent months for their handling of Salford's ongoing financial crisis.

RFL chair Simon Johnson had already been ousted in March after frustrated clubs essentially forced him into resigning, with other board members quitting, too.

As part of that, former RFL chief executive Nigel Wood controversially returned to HQ to lead a strategic review of the sport.