Rabbitohs release Bell

South Sydney has released winger Roy Bell after he broke a drink-driving ban which embarrassed the NRL club and its sponsors.

Twenty-year-old Bell will return home to Casino in northern New South Wales after he met today with his manager Steve Gillis and Rabbitohs management to explain why he drove his car just minutes after being slapped with a six-month ban for drink-driving on Friday.

Bell's contract was due to expire at the end of 2006.

Gillis says Bell will play football next year in the local competition in Grafton before weighing up his future. He hasn't ruled out a return to Souths.