Veteran Leeds centre Keith Senior has been called to account over his outburst at a match official in the World Club Challenge, won by NRL premiers Melbourne.

England's Rugby Football League announced on Tuesday that Senior would appear before its operational rules tribunal on March 10 to answer charges concerning comments he made about referee Richard Silverwood.

"Keith Senior has today been charged with a breach of RFL operational rules concerning the criticism of match officials and a breach of the RFL's respect policy over his comments about referee Richard Silverwood," the RFL said in a statement.

Silverwood penalised Senior for dissent and the resulting two points kicked by Storm captain Cameron Smith put the Australian team ahead for the first time in the match at Elland Road on Sunday (Monday AEDT).

Melbourne went on to beat the Rhinos 18-10 after a late try by Anthony Quinn.

After the game, 33-year-old former Great Britain international Senior branded Silverwood "arrogant" but later apologised.

The RFL rules state "no person shall publish or cause to be published (or give any interview to the media by whatsoever medium) which contains criticism of the character of a match official".

They also prohibit "criticism of the manner in which a match official has officiated at a game in which the club or player has taken part, or of any other game under the control of the RFL".

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