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HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS coach Jim Lenihan has been fined for making a claim against match officials of “unconscious bias” last month. The Australian has been £1,000, with £500 suspended until the end of the 2027 season. In his post-match press conference after a 30-14 home defeat to Bradford Bulls on July 10, Lenihan seethed at some of the refereeing decisions made, in particular a try disallowed for obstruction. He said: “It feels like we’re copping a lot of tough calls. It’s an unconscious bias because we’re not supposed to be scoring points here. “We cannot catch a break at Huddersfield because we’re not supposed to win.” The Rugby Football League said Lenihan’s comments contravened their guidelines. “It was deemed a public criticism of referees and potentially a challenge to their integrity,” they explained. “Lenihan has been reminded of the Respect Policy, which requires coaches to demonstrate leadership and refrain from publicly criticising officials, and warned that any similar future misconduct could lead to a referral to an Operational Rules Tribunal and potentially more severe sanctions, including touchline suspensions.” That Bradford defeat was a seventh in as many games for Lenihan since arriving at Huddersfield in May. They have since won four matches in succession. Meanwhile, Catalans Dragons chairman Bernard Guasch and St Helens halfback Jackson Hastings have also received fines from the RFL for misconduct. Guasch has been fined £3,000 – £1,500 suspended – for conduct towards match officials following Catalans’ 34-28 home victory against Castleford Tigers on June 13 which was “prejudicial to the interests of the game”. In addition, Guasch is no longer permitted to enter the tunnel area at matches while match officials are present. Hastings has been fined £2,000 – £500 suspended – following an incident with the match commissioner after Saints’ 24-16 defeat at Leeds Rhinos on June 4.