Rugby League: Fine and ban for Gregory

THE Salford coach Andy Gregory, has been fined and banned from the touchline for the remainder of the season for abusing match officials.

The former Great Britain international pleaded guilty in Leeds yesterday to two charges of foul and abusive language, one relating to the game against Huddersfield on the 10th May and the other for remarks aimed at the referee Steve Ganson during the game against Sheffield 11 days ago.

A sub-committee of the league's board of directors invoked a suspended fine of pounds 1,000 imposed for criticising a referee last season and fined him a further pounds 1,500, suspended for a year.

Gregory dampened speculation that the decision might make him resign from his job at The Willows.

"I'll pay the fine grudgingly but I've no argument with Salford and I never said I would quit," he said.

Gregory will be without one squad member for some time, Mark Lee being found to have a broken jaw.

Meanwhile, Dave Harrison, the Hull KR coach, has been severely reprimanded after remarks about the referee, Ronnie Laughton, which included calling him "a clown".

Wigan are showing interest in Western Samoa union winger, Brian Lima, and Australian utility player, Greg Florimo.

The London Broncos will be without five players including Martin Offiah for tomorrow's match at Bradford, but Offiah has been cleared of any broken bones in his ankle.

The first domestic competition in Scotland is being launched today, with eight teams playing in two conferences and then play-offs, leading to a grand final in August.

Bradford have launched Bull Tag, a version of touch rugby, that they plan to use as a participation sport in their community programme.