Ivan Cleary's $10,000 escape called out as NRL cops backlash over call on Panthers coach

Leading commentator Andrew Voss has put the NRL on blast for failing to fine Ivan Cleary for his comments regarding Bunker official Chris Butler on Saturday night. The Penrith Panthers coach made some explosive comments after his side's win over Cronulla, labelling one of Butler's decisions "terrible" and suggesting he shouldn't be selected for the grand final.

Cleary was left fuming that Butler had denied the Panthers a try due to what he deemed to be an obstruction, which resulted in the Sharks going down the other end of the field and scoring a try. The majority of the NRL world felt Bulter made the wrong call, and Cleary let him know about it in his post-match presser.

"That was a terrible decision, and that gives me a lot of anxiety around next week if that Bunker official (is there again)," the coach said, before calling out Butler by name. "I think it was Chris Butler. That was wrong, and it's been happening all year.

"That was the one time we sorted our stuff out and ran the play perfectly and ran to his inside shoulder. Sifa (Talakai) actually initiated contact. That worries me about next week if that same bunker official (is there) or, if he or someone else is going off the same script, then I'm concerned."

Cleary suggested NRL head of football Graham Annesley should think twice about who he selects to officiate the grand final on Sunday night against the Melbourne Storm. "I don't know if Graham makes the selection on who's in the Bunker, but whoever's in there needs to understand what we're trying to do," Cleary said. "There are a lot of referees not reffing next week and they're some of the best in the game, so surely someone can work that out."

Responding on Sunday, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said he wouldn't be issuing Cleary a fine, but added: "Ivan is a great coach. After the game he doesn't like to talk about match officials, which is something everyone should observe. Coaches or players making comments about individual match officials and speculation on appointments are unhelpful and detract from the focus being on the clubs and the players in the lead up to the grand final."

How can the NRL let Ivan Cleary off without a fine?

Discussing the situation on Monday, Voss declared Raiders coach Ricky Stuart wouldn't be afforded the same leniency. “Ivan has to pay $10,000 for that,” Voss said on SEN radio. “There was nothing wrong with saying that it was a terrible decision. However, he then said he had anxiety if Chris Butler (is refereeing) next week.

“It attacks his integrity saying that and being critical of him. We (commentators and fans) can say it but coaches can't. I don’t know how accepting the NRL will be during grand final week but if it was Ricky Stuart that had said that, it would be $10,000."

The fact Abdo has opted against fining Cleary beggars belief considering the precedent that has been set in recent years. In May, Abdo issued Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould with a $20,000 fine for disparaging remarks he made about the state of the game on Channel 9, in which he said the NRL was "stupid".

Gould ranted: "Leave the game alone. We are tearing it apart. It is really frustrating watching our game be torn apart by everybody bar the coaches and the players, it just drives me mad. Doctors, lawyers and fans on social media, that's all they listen to. They don't listen to players."

Abdo said of Gould's remarks: "We welcome constructive criticism and passionate opinions." However he said Gould's comments "overstepped the mark", adding: "Destructive attacks on the game itself will not be tolerated. This is a professional sport and our leaders should set the standard around reasoned debate and respect for the game."

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Trent Robinson copped $20,000 fine for similar referee rant

And in 2021, Roosters coach Trent Robinson was also fined $20,000 for criticising officials in a press conference. Robinson said a decision not to send Latrell Mitchell off for a high shot on Joey Manu was "laughable and an absolute farce", blasting Bunker official Henry Perenara.

"He's supposed to know some footy, sitting up in the box, and then doesn't do anything about it for 30 or 40 or 50 seconds, doesn't do a thing about it," Robinson said. "Get out of there [the Bunker]. If you can't do it, get out of there, or just get rid of it all completely. If you cannot do the job, get out of there.

"It's like the twilight zone up there when the Roosters are playing. It was laughable, it was that bad. They don't know what they were doing."

Abdo also fined Robinson $20,000 at the time and said the coach had "exposed individual match officials to personal ridicule in contravention of NRL rules." To be fair, Robinson had already received one suspended fine for a similar indiscretion, while Gould is also a repeat offender when it comes to criticising the NRL and the game in general.

As Abdo highlighted, Cleary isn't known to criticise officials, but surely his comments also "exposed individual match officials to personal ridicule". Cleary identified Butler by name and seemed to attempt to sway the NRL in regards to who should officiate in the grand final, but somehow that's not deemed worthy of a fine. For the NRL to let Cleary off with a warning is a slap in the face for Gould and Robinson and will do nothing to appease fans who believe the Panthers are given special treatment.