Warrington Wolves head coach, Sam Burgess, has been fined by the RFL for comments made about a match official in the Wolves’ loss to Castleford Tigers last month.
Wire went down 20-14 to the Tigers in mid-July, but Burgess and Warrington came away feeling aggrieved and that they should have got something from the game.
In the 67th minute, Josh Thewlis was denied a certain try by Alex Mellor’s high tackle. Thewlis ended up going off for a HIA, whilst Mellor was shown a yellow card, but there was no penalty try awarded.
After the game, Burgess spoke to the press and aired his anger with the state of the referees, saying he is “past the point of frustration”.
The 36-year-old made his feeling clear particularly with video referees, referring back to the game prior where James Vella was the man on video referee duties.
“It’s becoming very common, the poor decisions,” Burgess said at the time. “I’m so confused.
“Last week a try went up as no try against us with six minutes to go. It was a clear impede on the catcher. James Vella spent five minutes reviewing it and still overturned it.
“It put Catalans ahead with three minutes to go but we still managed to win the game. I questioned that with Phil Bentham through the week who told me they got the try wrong, it should have been a try. That was confusing.
“Tonight I don’t know, I’m really struggling to understand that call. I’ll ask for clarity again on Monday morning through Phil Bentham. I’ll probably get an email saying ‘yeah, we got it wrong, it should have been a penalty try. Sorry, Sam’. It’s past the point of frustration.”
His comments have earned him a £1,000 fine from the game’s governing body, half of which is suspended until 2026.
Burgess has 14 days to appeal the decision.
Two more fines given out alongside Warrington Wolves boss
Sheffield Eagles coach Craig Lingard has also been given a fine for improper conduct towards a match official. The incident occurred during the Eagles’ fixture with London Broncos last month, and will have to pay £250.
Rochdale Hornets chairman, Andy Mazey, is the final person to be fined due to his comments on social media that breached the RFL’s code of conduct.
Lingard and Mazey also have the option to appeal.
