Canberra coach Ricky Stuart is facing a historic ban for his stunning attack on Panthers young gun Jaeman Salmon.
Stuart called Salmon “a weak dog” after the 23-year-old was reported for kicking while tackled by Raiders pimp Tom Starling.
The Salmon family have called on the NRL to act, while Stuart faced a barrage of criticism for the stunning outburst in his post-match press conference on Saturday night.
Stream every game in every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership season live and ad-free during the game on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
MORE NRL NEWS
BREAKING POINTS: NRL faces moment of truth after Ricky’s ‘ugly’ spray
Whispers: Dragon-eyed whores amid shock retirement; Haas’ lucrative trade
PHEW: Knights win ‘relief for everyone’ after ‘tough’ week.
DRAMA: Knights coach breaks silence, reveals word that made Klemmer saga ‘worse’
The NRL is furious with the veteran coach and is expected to throw the book at Stuart as the 55-year-old could face an unprecedented ban.
Stuart has been fined $135,000 by the NRL since becoming a coach in 2002, but could now be looking at a match suspension for the first time.
NRL boss Andrew Abdo described the remarks as “very serious” and “disappointing” and is expected to speak again on Monday afternoon.
“I think what happened was so serious that we’re looking beyond a fine this time,” Phil Rothfield told Big Sports Breakfast.
“I think Andrew Abdo was so angry about it yesterday that he’s probably going to be looking at some kind of suspension, maybe just a week or two.”
Ricky apologizes for the salmon spray | 01:04
MORE NRL NEWS
“SAVED MY LIFE”:Hynes’ touching tribute to ‘best mate’ after horrific stroke
‘REALLY SORRY’: Stuart apologizes to Salmon after controversial post-match spat
RED V SIMS RACE OVER: Dragons veteran handed big ban for ugly high shot
The NRL’s Integrity Unit launched an immediate investigation, while Stuart apologized on Sunday.
“He crossed the line there at the weekend,” NRL reporter Adam Pengilly told Big Sports Breakfast.
“I love Ricky’s passion and the way he talks about the game, but he shouldn’t have used an NRL press conference to say what he did about an NRL player on an issue that goes back at least a decade
“I think the NRL will be very tough and firm on this. Ricky has been fined a number of times in the past, we know that, but I’d be very surprised if they didn’t go the suspension route given how serious a problem it’s been.
“Ricky did the right thing yesterday by apologizing, but I’m really looking forward to seeing what Andrew Abdo and Peter V’landys are up to later today.
Knights get much needed win over Tigers | 02:41
“I can’t think of a manager being suspended, certainly in the last 10 years I can’t think of an incident where a manager has sat on the sidelines for something in a post-match press conference.
“We’ve seen things off the pitch, Shane Flanagan comes to mind, but nothing for a press conference.
“I think the NRL will end it as soon as they can, if not this afternoon, tomorrow at the latest, they don’t want to let it linger.
Get all the latest NRL news, news and analysis straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!