The NRL has admitted it was unacceptable for play to continue while Nene MacDonald was down in back play with a fractured ankle and have therefore dropped the referees in charge.
Both Grant Atkins and Gavin Badger have been demoted by the governing body who came under fire after play continued while both MacDonald and John Asiata were down receiving treatment.
“It’s important for me to say that as an administration, we didn’t find that acceptable, that it took as long as it did for the game to stop,” Annesley said.
“There were any number of eyes across that through the on-field officials, and the match-day coach who was also watching the game.
“We felt there was ample opportunity for the game to be stopped earlier than it was, as early as literally from the time the incident took place.”
