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Jim Lenihan fined by RFL over "unconscious bias" comments as Super League club chairman banned from pitchside following incident - Serious About Rugby League

Serious About Rugby League · Sam Brocksom · 2026-08-17T10:53:36+00:00 · nguồn gốc

The RFL have fined Huddersfield Giants boss Jim Lenihan after his post-match comments in a recent Super League game. Lenihan accused referees of “unconscious bias” against his team, and as a result, he has been charged with public criticism of referees and challenging their integrity. He has been fined £1,000, with half of that suspended until the end of 2027. Lenihan could also be banned from the touchline or be given harsher sanctions should any further misconduct occur. The Giants boss is one of four people to be fined by the governing body, after an RFL Compliance update was released earlier today [Monday]. Catalans Dragons chairman Bernard Guasch has also landed a fine, with the Frenchman hit with a £3,000 penalty following his conduct towards match officials after the Super League fixture between the Dragons and Castleford Tigers in June. Guasch’s actions violated the RFL’s RESPECT Policy, and showed conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game. Guasch is now banned from entering the tunnel area at matches while match officials are present, and has been warned that any similar misconduct in future will lead to more severe sanctions. St Helens star Jackson Hastings is another man penalised. Hastings had an interaction with the Match Commissioner following that game and has been fined £2,000 for breaching Operational Rules in relation to adhering to the Respect Policy. £500 of that fine will be suspended until the end of 2027. The former Man of Steel has also been formally warned that any future misconduct “could result in referral to an Operational Rules Tribunal and potentially more severe penalties, including match suspensions.” Lastly, Championship club Keighley Cougars have been fined £2,000 after they postponed their Betfred Championship match with Dewsbury Rams without RFL approval, bringing the game into disrepute. The referee deemed the pitch unplayable on the day, and in addition to the fine, the Cougars also need to pay Dewsbury £575 in travel reimbursements.