NRL hits Sydney Roosters with massive fine for comments about match officials in fallout from Rabbitohs loss

The Sydney Roosters have been hit with a whopping fine over comments made after and during the side’s recent loss to the Rabbitohs.

Trent Robinson let loose at the match officials after his side's loss. Image: Getty/Fox Sports

The NRL has fined the Sydney Roosters $40,000 over comments made by club officials about referees both during and after Friday night’s loss to South Sydney.

Half of the sanction ($20,000) has been handed down to coach Trent Robinson for “exposing individual match officials to personal ridicule” in his post-match press conference.

The race to the 2021 NRL Telstra Finals Series is on and every game matters. Watch Live & Ad-Break Free on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free >

An irate Robinson took particular aim at bunker official Henry Perenara for his “laughable” handling of Latrell Mitchell’s shoulder charge on centre Joey Manu.

Latrell Mitchell’s hit sent Joey Manu to hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery on a fractured cheekbone. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The NRL has also fined the Roosters $10,000 for club staff abusing match officials during the match.

The remaining $10,000 has been suspended but will be incurred if the club “is found to have breached the NRL rules regarding public commentary on match officials” following further investigation by the NRL.

Following his side’s loss, Robinson unleashed at bunker official Perenara, who was subsequently stood down for the remainder of the weekend.

The Roosters coach was incredulous at Perenara’s decision not to halt play when Manu lay on the ground following the hit.

He was equally dumbfounded when Mitchell was sin-binned, rather than sent off, for the incident.

“Perenara, who’s supposed to know some footy, sitting up in the box – and then doesn’t do anything about it. For maybe 30, 40, 50 seconds, doesn’t do a thing about it,” Robinson said.

“It’s a common theme this year, about the NRL and the bunker not looking after our players.

“And then they get forced to finally make a call on it and they send him for 10 in the bin. “Ten in the bin! It was laughable. It was that bad, it was almost laughable.

“They didn’t know what they were doing. How do you send that for 10 in the bin?

“Get out of there. If you can’t do it get out of there, or just get rid of (the bunker) completely. Get rid of it completely. If you cannot do your job, get out of there.”

Mitchell has been suspended for the remainder of the NRL season. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

In determining Robinson’s penalty, the NRL took into consideration his history of similar conduct.

He was handed a $10,000 suspended fine in May after making comments about the officiating of another Roosters game.

The NRL’s breach notice claimed that Roosters officials abused match officials during the game as well.

“It is alleged Sydney Roosters officials made abusive comments towards on-field match officials and the standby referee during the match,” an NRL spokesperson wrote.

“The club has also been warned that a repeat of such conduct will result in individuals having their access to the sideline removed during the finals series.”

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said it was club officials’ responsibility to keep their emotions in check during and after games.

“Sport can be highly emotional and sometimes people will debate decisions made on the field and we expect all clubs to deal with on-field matters respectfully,’’ he said.

“We can analyse and debate decisions, but such commentary should not be personalised and disrespectful.

“In our view there was a lack of professionalism shown by the club and its officials across Friday night. We’re an elite competition and we should set the standard for how to deal with adversity.”

Abdo admitted that the bunker made the wrong call in sin-binning Mitchell.

“We believe the bunker should have dismissed the player from the field. We have been very open about that and we acted quickly to amend the match appointments for the remainder of the round,’’ he said.

“But regardless of their decisions, right or wrong, our match officials are always entitled to the respect of our participants for the difficult work they do.”

Abdo had some stern words for the Roosters. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Abdo warned that the NRL would take a dim view of match official abuse during the upcoming finals series.

“There is no place for the abuse or harassment of match officials by club officials on the sideline. It’s not tolerated in community sport and it’s certainly not tolerated in elite sport,” he said.

“It is important that at the highest level all club officials control their emotions and set an example to everyone in our sport.

“We will not hesitate to remove the sideline access of any official who repeatedly makes abusive comments towards our match officials.”

The Roosters have five days to respond to the breach notice.