Canterbury coach Des Hasler has been issued with a $20,000 fine by the NRL for comments made about the referees in Saturday night’s 20-18 win over Newcastle.

Half of the penalty stems from a suspended $10,000 fine handed down after a round one loss to Penrith, where Hasler also criticised officials.

Hasler had threatened to send NRL head of Football Todd Greenberg a breach notice and said a referee was out of his depth in the match.

The club has seven days to respond to the proposed ban.