James Child dropped to the Championship

Super League referee James Child has been demoted to the Championship for this weekend’s round of fixtures.

Child will officiate the game between Widnes and Toulouse on Saturday, following heavy criticism from coaches Steve Price and Steve McNamara following Saturday’s game between Catalans and Warrington.

The fiery clash in Perpignan saw two red cards and two yellows, as well as the well-publicised unsavoury scenes in the crowd at the end of the game.

Price claimed that the Dragons were allowed to “get away” with frustrating his team, while McNamara said he would speak to “the relevant people” after also expressing his annoyance with the officiating.

Saturday’s game was only the second time Child has refereed of a Super League game since the end of May, instead being assigned to Championship games at Barrow, York, Halifax, Toulouse and Rochdale.

He will run the line at Friday’s game between Wigan and Hull KR, but there is no indication of when he will next take charge of a top flight game.