ST Helens chairman Eamonn McManus has been fined for his comments following his side’s Challenge Cup Final defeat to Warrington Wolves.

McManus used his programme notes for his side’s Super League game against Castleford Tigers and a subsequent press release to criticise the appointment of Robert Hicks as the referee for the game at Wembley and his performance in Wolves’ 18-4 win.

As a result, he has been fined £3,000 by the RFL, with a third of it suspended until the end of the 2020 campaign.

“Match officials are hardworking, impartial, and deserving of respect and support. Theirs is a difficult job and without them there is no game,” RFL chief regulatory officer Karen Moorhouse said.

“Through the Enjoy the Game campaign, we encourage professional clubs to set an example for the rest of the sport, to support the recruitment and retention of match officials, and to promote the mental and physical wellbeing of match officials alongside that of players and coaches.

“We will be working with clubs to reinforce the importance of the Enjoy the Game campaign during the off-season.”

The Saints chairman wrote that it was incomprehensible that Hicks did not go to the video for Morgan Knowles' "clear and legitimate opening try" and then "followed it up shortly with other highly questionable decisions.”

He also highlighted the brokering of a meeting by Wire chief executive Karl Fitpatrick between Hicks and the Warrington supporter who had issued the ref with a death threat on Twitter, describing that as a "stunt.”