RFL charge Cooke over switch

The 26-year-old stand-off completed a highly controversial cross-city switch at the end of April, a move which the game's governing body initially blocked before eventually sanctioning.

However, that did not prevent the case being referred to the RFL's compliance commissioner and Cooke has now been summoned to a tribunal on September 24 charged with "making an alleged illegal approach to another club prior to the expiry of his contact, without permission of his registered club".

Cooke has always maintained he had been entitled to seek a move to the club he supported as a boy because he was technically out of contract at Hull.

He claimed he never signed a new deal offered to him in June 2006 and was therefore a free agent. Cooke's resignation was rejected by the club where he began his career, and Rovers' initial request to register him was blocked by the RFL.

That decision was reversed and the player penned a three-and-a-half year deal at Craven Park.

However, Hull refused to let the matter go and made plans to sue for breach of contract, an option which they appear set to pursue pending the outcome of the tribunal. The club made allegations of misconduct against both the player and Rovers, prompting the RFL to ask disciplinary commissioner Norman Sarsfield to investigate the claims.

Hull KR have vigorously denied any allegations of wrongdoing on their part, although Cooke admitted he was not surprised the case had been re-opened.

He said: "My solicitors are on to it. There's nothing more I can say. I'm sure it will all come out eventually. I knew when I left it could all come down to this. I'm fine about it."

Hull FC chief executive James Rules said: "We will await the findings of the RFL Tribunal with interest. As part of our ongoing legal action concerning Paul Cooke's move to Hull KR, we are not in a position to make any further comment."