Dean Pay's $25,000 Fine WILL Be Reduced, Confirms NRL

After a successful appeal


Article heading image for Dean Pay's $25,000 Fine WILL Be Reduced, Confirms NRL

AAP

Dean Pay's $25,000 fine for his controversial post-match comments has been reduced, the NRL has confirmed.

The Bulldogs coach was slugged with the breach notice after he called out the referees for a "ridiculous" decision during the club's round-nine loss to the Broncos.

But Canterbury's appeal against the fine has been successful, with the NRL suspending a portion of the original amount.

"The club will be fined $15,000 with a further $10,000 suspended for comments made by coach Dean Pay," a statement said.

"The suspended portion of the fine will be imposed if there is a repeat of the criticism against match officials.

"The NRL suspended part of the penalty based on the fact that Pay is in his first season as a head coach in the NRL and has no prior breaches. 

"He has also acknowledged publicly that he needs to moderate his language when commenting about match officials."

Pay's comments were sparked by a decision to award the Broncos a penalty in the 79th minute against Bulldogs fullback Moses Mbye for impeding Darius Boyd, resulting in Mbye being sent to the sin bin and the Doggies losing 26-24.

Speaking afterward, Pay said: "I have got a group of blokes in there in there that have busted their arse, and to be decided like that is ridiculous.

"What do I say to them? It is like we are not supposed to win."

An NRL spokesperson today said that there had been "a significant increase in club funding this year and the higher level of fines was aimed at ensuring there is an adequate deterrent against criticism of match officials".

 

17 May 2018




Listen Live!
Up Next