The National Rugby League (NRL) today issued Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles with a breach notice after comments directed towards Match Officials.
The notice proposes the Club be fined $25,000 for the comments by Coach Des Hasler in the post-match press conference, as well as additional media interviews, which questioned the competence and integrity of NRL match officials.
The breach also takes into account comments by Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Player Josh Aloiai subsequently.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said there was no place in the game for any public comments of that nature.
“The comments by a coach of Des’s standing were disappointing,” Mr Abdo said. “Particularly disappointing was the sustained criticism of Match Officials over the course of the week.
“We look to those in leadership positions in the game to set an example. We understand that passions run high, but that is simply no excuse to make comments which question the integrity and competence of our officials.
“Public criticism of this nature makes it harder to recruit and retain match officials at all levels of the game.
“To see not only a coach, but a player, criticise officials to this extent is not the level of professionalism we expect in Rugby League.”
The Club has five business days to respond to the Breach Notice.
