Catalan Dragons full-back Clint Greenshields was today counting the cost of his Twitter attack on a referee.
The 30-year-old Australian was last week fined 2,000 euros (£1,635) and suspended for three days by his club for calling referee Ben Thaler “retarded” on his Twitter account during the Dragons’ recent defeat at Leeds Rhinos.
And today he was handed an additional fine of £1,000, by the Rugby Football League, £500 of which is suspended until the end of 2013, after being found guilty of breaching their Respect policy and rules relating to improper conduct and criticism of match officials.
“The player’s subsequent apology and sanctions imposed on him by his club were taken into consideration by the RFL compliance department,” a spokesman said.
Greenshields, who has also been warned about his future behaviour, has 14 days in which to appeal against the decision but is likely to accept his punishment.
Meanwhile, the Dragons will step up their search for a replacement for centre or second rower Setaimata Sa after he confirmed his move to London Irish but say it will not be Hull FC’s Tongan international Willie Manu.
Catalan coach Trent Robinson confirmed he had spoken to Manu, who has rejected a new contract offer from Hull and is expected to join St Helens from 2013.
“We are looking for a back rower and we had a chat with Willie but he won’t be coming here,” Robinson said.
The 24-year-old Sa, who has made 55 Stobart Super League appearances for the Dragons since joining them from Sydney Roosters at the start of the 2010 season, will move to England at the end of the season.
“I am leaving Perpignan for family reasons,” he explained. “My wife is English and is pregnant and wants to get closer to her family.”
Robinson added: “We wish Sa all the best at London Irish for next year.
“He has been a great player for us over the next three years and I have valued his character and strength both on and off the field and we are both looking forward to a great finish of his time in France.”