Senior to face RFL over referee comments

LEEDS RHINOS centre Keith Senior has been charged by the Rugby Football League with a breach of their operational rules following his public criticism of referee Richard Silverwood in the aftermath of the Rhinos' World Club Challenge defeat.

By The Newsroom

Published 3rd Mar 2010, 14:28 BST

Updated 3rd Mar 2010, 14:28 BST

The 33-year-old former Great Britain international branded the match official "arrogant" after he was penalised by him for dissent during the Super League champions' 18-10 defeat by Melbourne Storm at Elland Road on Sunday, although he later apologised for the comments.

The former Sheffield Eagles player was today ordered to appear before an RFL operational rules tribunal next Wednesday evening to answer the charges of breaching rules governing the criticism of match officials and a breach of the governing body's respect policy.

The rule states that "no person shall publish or cause to be published (or give any interview to the media by whatsoever medium) which contains criticism of the character of a match official or criticism of the manner in which a match official has officiated at a game in which the club or player has taken part, or of any other game under the control of the RFL."