The Professional Cricketers Association is calling for an internal review at the International Cricket Council into the conduct of a top match referee.
Clive Lloyd, one of the game's leading officials, told a newspaper England captain Michael Vaughan was "dismissive and rude" at a disciplinary inquiry.
But the PCA says it is unfair for a match referee to use the media to criticise players in such a way.
And it also suggests Lloyd's position in the game needs to be reviewed.
Vaughan was fined £5,500 for comments made to the media about the umpires during a Test match in Johannesburg.
PCA chief Richard Bevan told Five Live's Sportsweek: "It's inequitable that a match referee can make comments and yet a player is censured.
"[Lloyd] has been heavily criticising a player and is effectively bringing the game into disrepute.
Defending Vaughan, Bevan added: "Michael says he was most definitely not rude.
"The fine is based on the offence - not on an attitude or someone not communciating very well in a meeting - and that's a very key point.
"And if someone is going to fine you 100% of a match fee you must have an appeal process."
Asked if he would like Lloyd to resign, Bevan replied: "I would like to hear the ICC's view at the highest level. We are in discussions at the moment."
But a statement on Bevan's own website insisted: "This should lead to an immediate review of Clive Lloyd's position and future as a match referee."
In Vaughan's view, umpires Steve Bucknor and Aleem Dar had not acted consistently in taking the players off for for bad light on the second day of the match on 14 January.
He was immediately charged with breaking the ICC's code of conduct and failed to impress Lloyd at the subsequent hearing.
On Saturday, Lloyd told the Cape Argus: "Vaughan made matters worse for himself with his dismissive and rude attitude.
"I could have banned him for the fifth Test but imagine what that would have done if the England captain couldn't lead his team in a match to win the series and accept the trophy."
An ICC spokesman said: "If there are issues between match referees and players we prefer it to be worked out between them."
Vaughan's fine had already been challenged by the PCA before the latest development.