UK rugby league officials have received briefings on an alleged incident in which Australian coach Ricky Stuart is accused of verbally abusing a World Cup referee.

A Rugby Football League (RFL) spokesman said referee Ashley Klein and England's director of referees Stuart Cummings had provided statements to the organisation, which employs them.

"We've asked for initial reports about the incident and those are being looked at and it will be discussed further at such time as we sit down with Stuart Cummings and Ashley Klein," the spokesman said.

He declined to give further details.

The Rugby League International Federation launched an investigation following a complaint from Cummings that he and Klein were abused by Stuart in the foyer of a Brisbane hotel the day after New Zealand's 34-20 World Cup final victory over the Kangaroos.

With both British-based officials having returned home and Australian officials on holidays, the investigation is expected to take weeks.

The Kangaroos, favourites to win the World Cup, were upset over a stripping decision by Australian-born Klein and a controversial penalty try awarded to the Kiwis by English video referee Steve Ganson.

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