clontaago
First Grader
REFEREE Ashley Klein, whose handling of the World Cup final so incensed Ricky Stuart he later resigned as the Kangaroos' coach, is heading home to his native Australia.
Klein, 29, has quit his position as an official with England's Rugby Football League to rejoin his wife and two children in Australia where he is now set to referee National Rugby League matches.
Hot favourites Australia suffered a shock 34-20 loss to New Zealand in the World Cup final in Brisbane on November 22.
The morning afterwards Stuart verbally abused both Klein and RFL referees' chief Stuart Cummings in the foyer of the hotel where they were all staying.
An inquiry into the incident found there had been some physical contact between Stuart and Cummings and that the abuse was littered with profanities.
Stuart, widely condemned for his outburst, subsequently apologised quit his post in December.
Cummings, paying tribute to Klein, said in a statement Tuesday: "Ashley has had a very difficult decision to make but has understandably decided to join his family in Australia.
"Therefore, we have decided it is in the best interests of all parties concerned to accept his resignation with immediate affect.
"We understand that following the announcement last week that his family wish to stay in Australia that the NRL has subsequently offered him a position in their competition."
Klein, 29, has quit his position as an official with England's Rugby Football League to rejoin his wife and two children in Australia where he is now set to referee National Rugby League matches.
Hot favourites Australia suffered a shock 34-20 loss to New Zealand in the World Cup final in Brisbane on November 22.
The morning afterwards Stuart verbally abused both Klein and RFL referees' chief Stuart Cummings in the foyer of the hotel where they were all staying.
An inquiry into the incident found there had been some physical contact between Stuart and Cummings and that the abuse was littered with profanities.
Stuart, widely condemned for his outburst, subsequently apologised quit his post in December.
Cummings, paying tribute to Klein, said in a statement Tuesday: "Ashley has had a very difficult decision to make but has understandably decided to join his family in Australia.
"Therefore, we have decided it is in the best interests of all parties concerned to accept his resignation with immediate affect.
"We understand that following the announcement last week that his family wish to stay in Australia that the NRL has subsequently offered him a position in their competition."
