Don't strip Bulldogs of points: Eels coach

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur doesn't believe Canterbury should be stripped of competition points over the ugly fan behaviour on Good Friday at ANZ Stadium.

Brad Arthur.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has found positives in his depleted NRL side's loss to Brisbane. (AAP)

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur says rivals Canterbury shouldn't be stripped of competition points by the NRL over their fans unruly behaviour.

The Bulldogs' one-point loss to South Sydney ended in chaos at ANZ Stadium on Good Friday, with bottles hurled at the referees by some of the club's supporters.

Interchange official Darren Alchin was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured shoulder blade. He has since been discharged.

The reaction stemmed from a penalty against Canterbury skipper James Graham for catching the standing leg of Adam Reynolds as he attempted a long-range field goal in the final minute.

The call by referee Gerard Sutton handed the Rabbitohs a shot at goal from 10 metres, in like with the game's rulebook.

The NRL will meet this week to consider sanctions against the club and fans, with the loss of competition points a possibility.

But Arthur said he was dead against that option.

"I seriously don't think they should be," he said on Sunday.

"But that's up to the NRL to make those decisions, it's got nothing to do with me."

Police say they are continuing to investigate the bottle throwing, with two men identified and legal action expected against them.

They also face bans for life from NRL matches.

In separate incidents outside the stadium, a 21-year-old Rabbitohs fan was knocked down and received a cut above his eye after being allegedly shoulder-barged from behind post-match.

A 38-year-old was arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm over the incident and granted conditional bail.

A 22-year-old man has also been arrested and charged over the alleged assault in which a boy was pushed to the ground not long after kick-off.


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Source: AAP


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