Millward and Sharp face League action

Two Super League coaches are facing disciplinary action from the Rugby Football League as the recent controversy over refereeing standards warms up.

Two Super League coaches are facing disciplinary action from the Rugby Football League as the recent controversy over refereeing standards warms up.

The League's disciplinary commissioner, Norman Sarsfield, has been asked to decide whether St Helens' Ian Millward and Jon Sharp, of Huddersfield, have cases to answer.

Millward, who has been complaining all season about the way games are being officiated, is in trouble over remarks allegedly made to officials during the Saints match against Bradford on Easter Monday.

Millward was unhappy that Bradford were credited with a goal during that match, even though Paul Deacon's effort appeared to miss.

Sharp is being investigated for what he said to reporters after Huddersfield's Challenge Cup defeat by Saints on Sunday.

Huddersfield had already been unhappy about a switch of referee after Saints had complained that the original official, Ian Smith, had spoken at a fans' forum in the town the previous week.

After the game, Sharp brought a computer to the press conference to illustrate what he claimed were incorrect decisions made by Smith's replacement, Ronnie Laughton.

He also implied that Laughton had a track record of favouring the bigger clubs and that that was why Saints had wanted him in charge.

The St Helens forward, Maurie Fa'asavalu, has been told that he has no case to answer over a suspected high tackle, for which he was placed on report during the match.

Shane Webcke, generally regarded as the world's leading prop forward, has announced his retirement from representative rugby at the age of 30.