Alan Pallister was today on the receiving end of an outburst from a senior club official following the tackle which left Featherstone Rovers scrum-half Jamie Rooney with a broken jaw.

The York Wasps skipper will appear before the Rugby Football League disciplinary committee next Tuesday after being cited for an alleged late and high tackle.

The incident just six minutes into Sunday's match at Huntington Stadium earned Pallister a spell in the sin-bin and was put on report by referee Julian King.

Highly-rated youngster Rooney now faces eight weeks on the sidelines.

Featherstone chairman Richard Evans today voiced his concern that a player could be killed unless dangerous high tackles are eliminated from the game.

Sunday's incident was the fourth time this season that Rooney had been allegedly deliberately taken out.

Sheffield Eagles' former York forward Chris Judge was banned for six matches in December for twice elbowing the 20-year-old in the face.

Evans said: "We have to stop the idea that taking people out by attacking their heads is a valid tactic in rugby league. If we don't then someone will be killed or maimed. These sickening incidents must not be allowed to continue."

Wasps coach Lee Crooks said he was not prepared to get into a "slanging match" with Evans but claimed his comments were not in the best interests of the game.

While not condoning dangerous tackles, Crooks said he did not believe Pallister's challenge was intentional.

He said: "It was clear on the video that Alan had got there and made contact with Rooney with his forearm. Alan is prepared to accept responsibility but I don't think intent was there.

"I rang Peter Roe (Featherstone coach) to inquire about how Jamie was and told him how sorry we were about the incident.

"I don't coach players to deliberately go out and injure players and I don't think Alan deliberately took him out.

Updated: 15:17 Wednesday, February 07, 2001