KNIGHTS chief executive Steve Burraston will pay a $5000 fine from the National Rugby League but stands by his criticism of the game's referees.

The NRL issued the Knights with a breach notice in response to comments made by Burraston in The Herald yesterday.

Frustrated by several decisions by referee Tony Archer in Newcastle's 16-13 loss to Cronulla at Toyota Stadium last Saturday night, Burraston said: "I think referees have a preconceived idea that we're an undisciplined club and we give a lot of penalties away, and they look for every minor thing that they can possibly penalise us on."

NRL chief executive David Gallop believed that questioned the impartiality of referees.

"We have been very clear about which comments will attract a fine, and to accuse referees of having a preconceived idea of how a match should go is a direct attack on a referee's integrity and a clear breach of those rules," Gallop said.

"There is plenty of scope to criticise a referee's performance, but to question his integrity is not acceptable."

Burraston said he was disappointed by the NRL's decision but would pay the fine.

"I'll accept the fine but . . . I don't walk away from any of the comments I made," he said.

"I didn't set out to offend anyone or to put anyone's integrity into question but, at the end of the day, we are on the wrong end of a lopsided penalty count, certainly over recent weeks but for most of the season, and our team has performed so well and doing such a good job that they just don't deserve to lose games that way.

"I got to the end of my tether after going through official channels for several weeks now, and asking a number of questions [about decisions] that we not always agreed with but we got on and worked hard to rectify, and Saturday night proved once again that it made no difference whatsoever."

Burraston said no one could satisfactorily explain to him why Knights five-eighth Chris Bailey should have been penalised in the ruck in the 58th minute, from which Luke Covell kicked the Sharks to a 14-13 lead.

"I've watched that several times and I just can't understand the referee's interpretation or his explanation to [captain] Kurt Gidley," he said.

Burraston said he had received support for his stance and comments and hoped Newcastle fans would rally behind the Knights by packing into EnergyAustralia Stadium for the game against Souths on Sunday.

"Maybe it's time for our fans to turn up in fine voice on Sunday afternoon and let everyone know what the Hunter feels about the situation," he said.