The NRL’s decision to revert back to one referee is threatening to turn ugly with the referees’ union lodging a dispute notice with the Fair Work Commission.

Professional Rugby League Match Officials Incorporated on Thursday claimed the league can’t change the officiating model under the current enterprise agreement.

“We continue to ask the NRL to engage in open dialogue with us, yet they continue to ignore those requests,” PRLMO chair Silvio Del Vecchio said.