A NSW Intrust Super Premiership player has been charged with contrary conduct after being sent off for dissent that was described by referee Kasey Badger at the time as a "homosexual slur".

Wests prop Cowen Epere has been hit with a grade-one contrary conduct charge by the NSWRL after becoming the first player to be sent off in the competition this year.

In charge: Kasey Badger referees at Panthers Stadium on Sunday. Credit:NRL Photos

He was given his marching orders after a slanging match with a Penrith opponent.

Badger tried to intervene in the dispute with promising Panthers half Adam Keighran during the second stanza of the match at Panthers Stadium on Sunday, but then took the unusual action of dismissing a player when the verbal barbs continued.