NRL: Stuart fined $10k for ref rant

Ricky Stuart has stepped down from his role as NSW's Origin coach. Source / Getty Images

Ricky Stuart's expletive-laden tirade in which he questioned the impartiality of referees has cost the Parramatta coach a $AU10,000 fine from the NRL.

An irate Stuart unleashed his frustrations after watching his Eels give up a 22-8 second half lead in going down to Gold Coast on Sunday night.

The men with the whistle were his main target after Parramatta were hammered 8-1 in the penalty count during the second half.

"We're just a very easy team to penalise,'' Stuart said following the game.

"We haven't got the high-profile players where you can get the penalty or milk the penalty.

"It's bulls***.''

The NRL came down hard as it issued the Eels with a $AU10,000 breach notice, which the club has five days to respond to.

According to a statement from the NRL, Stuart's comments breached guidelines which prevent a coach questioning the integrity of the referee, from engaging in criticism that is excessive or unjustified or from ridiculing officials.

"Coaches are allowed to question or criticise decisions but there are some clear boundaries that every club should be aware of,'' NRL general manager of football operations Nathan McGuirk said.

"We believe that on this occasion those boundaries were breached.''

- AAP