Venter charged over ref comments

Venter accused Premiership referees of killing the game

Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter has been charged with conduct prejudicial to the game for his comments on Premiership refereeing.

Venter has been summoned to appear before a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel on 19 January.

He will face questions over his comments about referee David Rose after Saracens' 22-15 defeat by Leicester.

Venter implied Rose was influenced during half-time and had become a "different" referee after the break.

Saracens responded to the news with a statement that read: "The club will mount a vigorous defence.

"Brendan offered an impassioned, rational and widely supported analysis of problems currently facing the game.

606: DEBATE At first I thought Brendan Venter was out of order and should have shut up, but having a ref say 'sorry, i messed up 26 times, 25 against you' then it's no wonder he thought everyone was against him knackeredknees

"He did not question the integrity of the referee at any stage and, in fact, on the contrary, stressed on several occasions he does not believe any of the officials are dishonest."

Following the Guinness Premiership match on 2 January Venter told the BBC: "The penalty count in the first half was 9-3 to Sarries. The penalty count in the second half was 10-4 to Leicester.

"I didn't say to my team: 'Look boys, we are leading, let's cheat more'. We asked the referee to keep everything the same in the second half.

"For some reason, something happened to this poor referee and there was basically a 12-count penalty swing.

"There was one referee in the first half, he walked through a maze or something, and he came out another referee."

During his interview with the BBC Venter also revealed he received an apology from referees' chief Ed Morrison for David Richards' handling of the previous week's 23-19 loss to London Irish.

Venter's comments incensed many in rugby union's hierarchy and were heavily criticised by RFU elite director Rob Andrew who called them "unfounded".

Horak joined Saracens from Treviso before the start of the season

Meanwhile, Saracens full-back Michael Horak has announced his retirement from rugby with immediate effect.

Johannesburg-born Horak gained one England cap against Argentina in Buenos Aires in 2002.

The 32-year-old also played for Leicester Tigers, Bristol, London Irish and Treviso.

He said: "This has not been an easy decision but I feel it is the best option for me and my family."

Horak has found first-team opportunities at Sarries limited although he did feature in the club's memorable 24-23 victory over the touring South Africa side at Wembley in November.

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