Queensland Maroons player Josh Kerr handed NRL breach notice over Ashley Klein comments

Queensland Maroons player Josh Kerr has been sanctioned by the NRL over comments where he labelled referee Ashley Klein as a “double agent” following the Origin III decider.

Queensland reserve Josh Kerr has been sanctioned by the NRL following comments where he labelled referee Ashley Klein as a “double agent”.

Kerr was hit with a breach notice on Saturday afternoon. He was part of Queensland’s extended squad with the comments occurring outside the Maroons hotel room on Thursday morning.

“Kerr, who was a member of the Queensland Maroons’ extended squad for State of Origin Game Three, made public statements following the match regarding the performance and integrity of the match officials which are alleged to have contravened the NRL Code of Conduct,” the NRL statement said.

Maroons reserve Josh Kerr has been sanctioned by the NRL over comments made following the State of Origin decider. Picture: Getty Images

“The comments are considered detrimental to the best interests of the game and also serve to undermine the credibility of match officials. “Kerr has five business days to respond to the breach notice.”

The Dolphins forward conceded he may have been in trouble by the NRL given his comments.

“I’m not sure how much trouble I could get into for saying it but I thought Ash Klein did a bit to try even it up or make it a bit closer,” Kerr said on Thursday.

“We were sitting there going, ‘it’s rorted, the game’s rorted’. “I haven’t got the best eyesight at times but I’m watching four passes and sh*t.

“We were all on the sideline just going, ‘oh, no, it’s a double agent’.”

Originally published as Queensland Maroons player Josh Kerr handed NRL breach notice over Ashley Klein comments