Rugby League Coaching Manuals

The NRL has today issued the Newcastle Knights club with a breach notice for a $5,000 fine. The breach notice follows post-match comments made by Knights Chief Executive Steve Burraston which the NRL asserts question the impartiality of referees, specifically: “I think referees have a pre-conceived idea that we're an undisciplined club and we give a lot of penalties away and they look for every minor thing that they can possibly penalise us on.”

The NRL took no issue in relation to comments made by the coach or players after the match.

“We have been very clear about which comments will attract a fine and to accuse referees of having a pre-conceived idea of how a match should go is a direct attack on a referee’s integrity and a clear breach of those rules,” NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said today.

“There is plenty of scope to criticise a referee’s performance but to question his integrity is not acceptable.”

The Knights’ breach notice is consistent with those handed to other NRL clubs in the past.

The Knights have five working days to decide if they wish to respond to the breach notice. www.nrl.com