Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary faces a heavy fine for claiming the Canberra Raiders were "managed" back into their NRL clash, with ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys labelling his comments "deplorable".
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The NRL's weekly football meeting will review Cleary's comments that came in the aftermath of the Panthers' 28-12 victory over the Raiders at Penrith on Saturday night.
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart hoped there would be consistency with punishments handed out in the past when it comes to criticising referees.
Stuart has received a record $125,000 in fines throughout his coaching career, which has spanned 18 years, but the last of those was five years ago with him having mellowed in his approach in recent years.
Asked if he'd heard Cleary's comments, Stuart had a succinct answer for what awaits Cleary.
"No I was told about it and I know what would happen if I had've said it," he said.
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It seems NRL head office is on the same page, with V'landys labelling them among the most disappointing things he'd seen while in charge.
Cleary was left confused over several second-half calls that went in the Raiders' favour.
But his words have left V'landys furious, warning the NRL would not stand for the integrity of any of their employees being questioned.
"I think his comments were deplorable," V'landys told AAP.
"There has to be a financial deterrent for it. You can't question people's integrity, no matter what.
"What he did [Saturday] is one of the most disappointing things I have seen while chairman.
"This was straight to the integrity of the referee. To say he managed it to bring the other team in is deplorable.
"If anyone thinks the NRL is going to tolerate their employees being abused like that, they've got something coming."
Cleary's issues are believed to largely be around two confusing calls by bunker officials Bryan Norrie and Steve Chiddy in the second half.
In the first decision, on-field referee Gerard Sutton sent a call upstairs as a try despite Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad not celebrating getting the ball down.
Sutton had the best view, and with bodies piled around the Canberra fullback there was no clear video evidence for the bunker to overturn the on-field call.
The lead up to Canberra's second try also left Penrith scratching their heads.
Nathan Cleary forced Jordan Rapana into touch, but when the Raiders challenged to show he'd passed the ball first Penrith were penalised for a second player joining the tackle late.
"It felt like they were being managed back into the game,'' Ivan Cleary said.
"That's all I can say. There were some really, really strange calls."
NRL ROUND 14
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium, 7.35pm.
