Hull FC have made an official complaint to the Rugby Football League over the performance of referee James Child.

Coach Richard Agar described his performance in Friday night's 20-18 defeat by Castleford as 'disgraceful'.

And chairperson Kath Hetherington told BBC Radio Humberside that she has complained to the match commissioner.

"Referees are going to make mistakes," she said. "But, if a player isn't up to it, the coach drops him, and the Rugby League need to look at this."

Hetherington added: "There's a level of competence at this level and you can't accept a certain level.

"When players from both sides are telling you it's a joke, it's time the Rugby Football League listened.

I saw this bloke referee a trial game between Salford and Hull KR and I thought: 'I'm dreading when we get him' Hull FC coach Richard Agar

"It's not the first time this particular referee has been called into question and I would expect them to have a look at it, the same as we would if a player kept making mistake after mistake, week in and week out."

Child, who is in his third season as a Super League referee, awarded 27 penalties during the game, as well as dismissing Hull FC player Sean Long and sin-binning Lee Radford.

"Just a disgraceful performance," said Agar. "I don't know what the point is talking about the game.

"The game was completely ruined by him. It's baffling.

"He won't be under pressure will he? He'll be backing up in Super League next week and we'll get a sheet round telling us all his decisions have been the right ones, I guarantee you that.

"I'm angry. I saw this bloke referee a trial game between Salford and Hull KR and I thought: 'I'm dreading when we get him'.

"Sure enough he's backed it up. I've got seasoned Test players in there coming in shaking their heads in disbelief."

"It's just been a good game and a good spectacle completely ruined by one bloke."

The defeat for Hull sees them lie in 10th in the Super League table, having lost six of their opening eight games.

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