Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has been hit with a $10,000 fine by the NRL following his comments about the referees following the Raiders' loss to Penrith last Sunday.
The breach notice was issued by the NRL's head of football Todd Greenberg who said the the code had a duty to protect match officials from comments that attacked their integrity.
"Coaches have every right to comment on the refereeing of a match and to be critical of particular decisions," Greenberg said.
"But those comments should not be excessive or damage the image of the game - and that is what has happened in this case."
The punishment compounds a miserable start to the season for Stuart, whose side sit second-last on the ladder after poaching the former NSW coach from Parramatta, who he led to the wooden spoon last year.
Greenberg said he had no option but to issue the notice after Stuart went on a foul-mouthed rant after his side were on the wrong side of several decisions.
"We have to take a stand against this kind of commentary or it will open the door for coaches to do the same thing week after week," he said.
"And that is not in the best interests of the game."
The Raiders now have five working days to respond to the notice.
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