Manly skipper Jamie Lyon has escaped with a warning from the NRL after telling referee Henry Perenara it seemed like he was trying to get South Sydney back into Monday night’s game.
The NRL said on Tuesday it was sending Lyon a “concerning act” notice in the wake of his team’s 20-12 win.
“Normally the referees are encouraged to take action on the field if they they believe their integrity is being questioned,” an NRL spokesman told AAP.
“Given there was no action taken on the field the match review committee has decided to issue a concerning act notice as a warning.”
Lyon has long had a reputation for questioning referees and was at it again at Allianz Stadium as Souths received a string of penalties.
“It seems like you are trying to get them back into the game, that’s what it seems like,” Lyon could be heard saying to Perenara over broadcaster Fox Sports’ audio.
The warning notice means Lyon is be free to play in Manly’s round 21 match against Newcastle on Sunday as they attempt to keep their faint finals hopes alive.
The NRL has taken a hardline of criticism of referees over the past two seasons.
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson earned a $40,000 fine for a verbal attack on referee Ben Cummins following the Tricolours Anzac Day defeat to St George Illawarra earlier this season.
Dingo
Guest
There is nothing on any Fairfax website about the Lyon "cheating" call in print, online or video in the match report, post match anything. Don't you think that's odd
Dingo
Guest
Some weeks hand on the ball is penalised other weeks its a attempted strip. But there is no denying all 50-50 decisions went Souths way till they caught up then it went back to reasonably even. Not sure what you saw in NRL Central. As predicted no mention of Lyon's referee indiscretion in the Sydney Morning Herald who just happen to be Nines business partner
Mike from tari
Guest
Souths got penalised in the first half for being slow off the tackle in their own 10 at least 3 times in the first 15 minutes, in the 2nd half with Souths getting more of the ball, Manly then started the slowing down tactics, hands on the ball, slow off the tackled player, in fact 4 in a row on their line at one stage & they were deserved penalties & they should have had someone in the bin going on some of the binning in recent weeks, Souths & Manly supporters should look in the mirror if they reckon all the penalties were not deserved.
Dingo
Guest
No mention of the Lyon "cheat" call in the Sydney herald website (Nine and SMH parent in business arrangement together)- lets look tomorrow morning
Jacko
Guest
Perenara is shocking and the worst Ref in the NRL. So therefore just a tiny bit below the best.
andrew
Guest
"The NRL has taken a hardline of criticism of referees over the past two seasons".... but not this time. So a player accidentally brushes past a referee glancing his shirt and he gets two weeks, but call him a cheat and you are free to play?
Kaks
Roar Guru
To be fair, he had a point..
Simmo
Guest
As a Manly fan, he dodged a massive bullet there! That's pretty weak. Being just shy of, if not, calling the ref a cheat and get away with a warning. As always, the standard has been set now.
Dingo
Guest
As I wrote elsewhere From the 30 minute when Manly led 12-0 every refs decision either penalty, forward pass , passing off the ground went to Souths until they got to 12-18 when the refs put the whistle in their pocket as it was now game on and fan interest returned. He should be cited but the NRL will try to ignore it otherwise that can of worms would rip at the very fabric of RL. The Fox commentators were going on about the penalties but never put up a penalty count. But for 30 minutes of the game Manly got one penalty for a deliberate strip they couldn’t ignore whilst Souths got nearly 10 plus an obvious forward pass and Burgess passing off the ground. Similarly but to a lesser extent the decisions favoured Souths when Manly were 8 in front. As a part-time Souths fan and former ref, you have to call it as you see it but they are breaking my heart
McTavish
Guest
Obviously it would draw attention to it if they fined him so let him off. Interesting to see if any media take up this story...