The ARL Commission is unlikely to grant Ivan Cleary’s wish to stop coaches speaking about the officials in the lead up to games.

The Panthers coach believes his counterparts, including Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett, are influencing how matches are refereed with comments during the week.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys defended the coaches’ right to appeal to referees, confirming to Ben Fordham there’s nothing wrong with pre-game banter.

“I think it adds to the game, and the entertainment and the tribalism.

“The theatre last week between Cleary and Bennett was fantastic! Why stop it?

“That’s what drives tribalism, that’s what drives people to want to watch the game.”

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Image: Penrith Panthers/Official website