SAINTS coach Keiron Cunningham has been fined £500 for publicly criticising a match referee following the Super League fixture against Catalans Dragons played at Stade Gilbert Brutus on Saturday, May 9.

In the press conference the week after the Catalans game the Saints boss was scathing about the way James Child had refereed the game.

In particular he criticised the 13-6 inbalance in penalties and the manner in which Catalans were allowed to stop the game by laying on the floor at intervals of the game.

Cunningham was deemed to be in breach of RFL Operational Rule D1.1 (b) improper conduct; Operational Rule C2.8 criticism of officials; and the RFL Respect Policy.

£250 of the fine has been suspended until the end of the 2015 season.

The Saints boss was also warned as to his future conduct.

Cunningham has 14 days in which to appeal the decision at an independent RFL Operational Rules Tribunal.