Biting allegations against York Rugby League Club have been dismissed by the Rugby Football League.

The RFL ruled there was "insufficient evidence" to take action against any Wasps players after investigating claims made by Oldham winger Richard Darkes.

Darkes alleged he was bitten by a York player in the build up to the sending off of Roughyeds centre Afi Leuila and referee Steve Lowe included the complaint in his report.

However, after studying a video of Sunday's match, which the Wasps won 27-6, the RFL confirmed no action would be taken.

The biting allegations follow high-profile incidents in rugby union and an RFL warning to players that anyone found guilty of the offence would be "dealt with very severely".

The Evening Press has obtained a copy of a recent RFL circular to all players, which reads: "The RFL feels that biting is an abhorrent offence, a view which we are sure is shared by all who play rugby league football at any level.

"While biting is thankfully quite a rare offence in sport in general, the RFL are keen to ensure that the recent high profile cases do not precipitate a copy cat spate of incidents.

"The League wish to put all players on notice that anybody found guilty of the offence will be dealt with very severely indeed and suspensions imposed as a result will invariably be measured in months rather than matches."

Rugby union has this year been hit by biting controversies, with Bath and England prop Kevin Yates receiving a six month ban after being found guilty of biting the ear of London Scottish flanker Simon Fenn in January.

And earlier this month Leicester flanker Neil Back alleged that Newcastle prop Paul Van-Zandvliet bit him on the thumb, although no action was taken against the Falcons player.

The RFL warning, drafted by operations executive Geoff Keith, describes biting as "despicable and cowardly", adding that it also leaves players open to diseases such as AIDS and Hepatitis B.

It concludes: "We will of course be instructing all referees and touch judges to keep a close watch for any alleged offences of this type."

And RFL spokesman Peter Rowe emphasised the governing body's desire to clamp down on anyone guilty of the offence.

"We have looked at the video and found there is insufficient evidence to make a case. The league takes these allegations seriously and will study match videos more closely and make a decision based on what evidence we may be able to see," he said.

"In this particular case there is insufficient evidence to prove a case. Unfortunately these things happen in a pile of bodies and it is difficult to see what goes on. Unless you have got cast iron evidence you cannot take it any further."

Wasps coach Dean Robinson defended his players against the allegations, declaring there was no evidence to support Darkes' claims.

"I don't think there was any evidence to even allege biting, never mind substantiate it. It is not something I would tolerate within the camp and I am certain I have no one who would even consider resorting to that sort of tactic," said the coach.

"If anything it was a player or two on the Oldham side over reacting to not being able to justify their own ambitions for the game on Sunday.

"As far as I am concerned I don't think for one moment there was any evidence to suggest it and I am certain that there are no biters among our players.

"It is interesting that the allegations came shortly after a circular from rugby league headquarters in relation to biting."

Meanwhile, Oldham's Leuila, sent off in the 29th minute of Sunday's game, was appearing before the RFL disciplinary committee in Leeds today.

The Tongan centre was dismissed by Leeds official Lowe for punc

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