SAINTS chairman Eamonn McManus has slammed Huddersfield Giants for trying to have two of their star players banned for Sunday's Challenge Cup semi-final against Huddersfield.

Great Britain internationals Sean Long and Martin Gleeson stand accused of attempting to profit from Saints' heavy defeat at Bradford Bulls on Easter Monday.

Coach Ian Millward fielded a weakened team for the Super League clash and Long and Gleeson are alleged to have placed bets on Saints losing the game, knowing of Millward's intentions.

The Rugby Football League has launched an investigation into the allegations and it has cleared both players to play for Saints until an outcome has been reached.

But Huddersfield chief executive Ralf Rimmer has said that the players should be banned with immediate effect, ruling the speedy backs out of Sunday's semi-final.

However, McManus has slammed Rimmer's comments.

He said: "We are particularly disappointed that Ralph Rimmer has gone to the press to state that Long and Gleeson should be suspended forthwith and therefore conveniently not play in the fixture. This is clearly wrongly taking advantage of a very sensitive situation and is blatant and irresponsible gamesmanship.

"It is fanning the flames of trial by the media and is highly prejudicial to achieving the rigorous, but balanced and impartial, investigation which the RFL is intent on conducting."