Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter has been summoned to an RFU disciplinary hearing following his tirade against the state of refereeing in the English game.
The RFU said the former South Africa back had been charged with “conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game”.
Venter, who will appear before an RFU disciplinary panel on Jan. 19, said after his Premiership-leading Saracens side were beaten 22-15 by Leicester: "In the first half the penalty count was 9-3 to us. In the second half it was 10-4 to Leicester.
"What happened to the ref? Did someone say something? I didn't say to my team: 'Look boys, we are leading, let's cheat more.' The referee seemed to have walked through a maze."
The comments were part of a lengthy post-match criticism of the state of refereeing, which Venter said had reduced the breakdown area to a lottery.
"There is a problem and that is the game is determined by referees and not by teams," he said. "We have no idea what is going on. They've no idea what's going on out there.
"I am not accusing referees here of being dishonest but the confusion is almost total. I am trying to prepare teams but suddenly it seems pointless ... you get a penalty, then they get a penalty."
Venter, experienced in the English game having previously played for and coached London Irish, also said that after he complained to the RFU's refereeing bosses about the refereeing of the Saracens v London Irish game last month, assessor Tony Spreadbury agreed with him on 25 of 27 contentious decisions.