Controversy: NRL boss Andrew Abdo takes action for 2025 season on Penrith Panthers after Ivan Cleary’s ‘terrible’ comment in press conference with $10,000 fine….

The NRL has sent a memo to all 17 clubs warning them that players and coaches will face harsher sanctions this year for comments made about referees or officials. And it effectively means Ivan Cleary and Wayne Bennett were very lucky not to cop a $10,000 fine in 2024.

Chief executive Andrew Abdo reportedly sent an email to the clubs this week declaring the NRL will crack down on disparaging remarks made about officials. It comes after a number of coaches appeared very lucky to escape sanction last season.

The email states: “You may recall the club CEOs meeting during Magic Round last year where we discussed the public focus on officiating and comments by coaches that at times only serve amplify fan and media attention on what in many cases are simply differences of opinion. The consensus at the meeting was the NRL should more strictly enforce the public comment rules in relation to match officials.

“Please can I ask you to advise your head coaches and all club officials, that the existing public comment provisions of the NRL rules will be more strictly enforced in 2025. This includes, but is not limited to, post-match media conferences, radio and television interviews, and club or personal social media posts.”

The most controversial example of a coach escaping a sanction last year came when Panthers coach Cleary declared Bunker official Chris Butler shouldn’t be picked for the grand final the following week after a “terrible” decision in the prelim. Cleary was left fuming after Butler denied the Panthers a try, even though they went on to beat Cronulla to make the grand final.

“That was a terrible decision, and that gives me a lot of anxiety around next week if that Bunker official (is there again),” Cleary said. “I think it was Chris Butler. That was wrong, and it’s been happening all year. That worries me about next week if that same Bunker official (is there) or, if he or someone else is going off the same script, then I’m concerned.”

Why Ivan Cleary didn’t get a $10,000 fine in 2024

The fact Cleary named Butler by name opened him up to public ridicule, and it also seemed to cross a line that the coach called for him not to be selected. But Abdo and NRL officials were lenient on Cleary because it was a rare outburst, and he dodged a $10,000 fine.

“Ivan is a great coach. After the game he doesn’t like to talk about match officials, which is something everyone should observe,” Abdo said at the time. “Coaches or players making comments about individual match officials and speculation on appointments are unhelpful and detract from the focus being on the clubs and the players in the lead up to the grand final.”

Discussing the situation afterwards, leading commentator Andrew Voss was gobsmacked Cleary wasn’t fined. “Ivan has to pay $10,000 for that,” Voss said on SEN radio. “There was nothing wrong with saying that it was a terrible decision. However, he then said he had anxiety if Chris Butler (is refereeing) next week.

“It attacks his integrity saying that and being critical of him. We (commentators and fans) can say it but coaches can’t. I don’t know how accepting the NRL will be during grand final week but if it was Ricky Stuart that had said that, it would be $10,000.”

Wayne Bennett also escaped $10,000 fine for ref comments

Wayne Bennett also appeared lucky to avoid a fine when he criticised a call that went against the Dolphins in a loss to Newcastle that knocked them out of finals contention. “It’s just crazy,” Bennett said. “I feel sad for the teams going forward in the next four weeks (in the finals) because someone else is going to pay the price for it.”

Abdo responded at the time: “I don’t have an issue with him expressing his views. I don’t necessarily agree with him but that’s his right. Wayne is one of the all-time coaches of our game. He’s just been inducted into the Hall of Fame, he’s entitled to his opinion.”