Nolan was on the line in the match between Jamberoo and Greenwell Point at Kevin Walsh Oval, Jamberoo, when he was allegedly involved in an incident with a person connected to the Greenwell Point Pirates.

Group 7 secretary manager Jim McAuliffe said the incident was being treated seriously and the league was awaiting a report from the referee.

“This is a very serious allegation, there is no room for any such occurrences in our game,” Mr McAuliffe said.

“We are awaiting a report, which is due this morning and will be investigating the matter.

“If it is true and is proven to be true it is a very serious offence and I would say the league would deal with it very harshly.”

Mr McAuliffe said he believed the matter would be brought before the league’s judiciary.

“Of course we have to wait for the official referee’s report, but I would say it would go straight to the judiciary to be dealt with and could even be referred to the league’s board,” Mr McAuliffe said.

“People need to know that it is

not accepted to touch a referee or

official in any way.”

The league has shown that it takes such matters seriously and is not afraid to take stern action when required.

Just last year the Group 7 judiciary suspended Batemans Bay five-eighth Aaron Brierley for 26 weeks for dissent towards referee Nathan Bowden after he was sent off in a play-off game against Berry-Shoalhaven Heads at the Nowra Showground.

Brierley has since appealed and had the sentence reduced to 10 weeks.

The league board also stripped the Warilla-Lake South club of the right to hold a finals match last year after members of the club allegedly threatened Mr McAuliffe during a match at Nowra.