Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has issued an apology for his criticism of match officials after the Sharks’ exit from the NRL finals.

Just a day before a response is due from the club for a $30,000 breach notice over Flanagan’s comments, the premiership-winning coach admitted he had made a mistake in attacking the referees after his side’s extra-time loss to North Queensland last week.

“I owe you an apology. I owe the game an apology. I’m sorry for the way I reacted,” Flanagan wrote in a letter to fans on the Sharks’ website.