Senior charged over referee criticism

Leeds 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.

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 has been 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".

Last season Hull KR coach Justin Morgan was fined £4,000 - half of it suspended - after he was found guilty of breaching the RFL's Respect policy for labelling referee Ben Thaler "sub-standard".

Senior, who is also likely to face a fine, was seething over what he saw as Silverwood's failure to clamp down on Melbourne's "spoiling" tactics at the play-the-ball.

The comments, made to journalists in the mixed zone an hour after the end of the match, were studied by the RFL's compliance manager who obtained a tape of the interview.

Senior was also forced to explain himself to Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington but the club have declined to divulge the outcome of those talks, describing it as "an internal matter".

In a statement issued late on Sunday night, Senior said: "I would like to apologise for any offence caused by my comments following our defeat to Melbourne. Unfortunately I let my emotions get the better of me after a physically and mentally draining clash with Melbourne.

"Having had time to reflect on my comments, I appreciate that, like us players, referees have a difficult job to do and we do not have a game without them."