Catalan Dragons have punished full-back Clint Greenshields for derogatory comments he made on Twitter about referee Ben Thaler.
The 30-year-old Australian found himself in hot water after describing Thaler as "retarded" as he watched his side lose 34-18 in Stobart Super League at Headingley last Friday.
Greenshields has been given a three-day suspension and fined £1,635 by his club, who say the player has also been dropped for Sunday's Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth-round tie at Batley even though he is currently injured.
A statement issued by the Dragons said: "Clint Greenshields has been suspended for three days of training and stood down for this week's Carnegie Challenge Cup game following his comments on Twitter about referee Ben Thaler during Friday night's match against Leeds.
"The Catalans Dragons full-back has been also fined 2000 euros by the club."
The Rugby Football League referred Greenshields' comments to their compliance department for investigation but the Catalans will clearly be hoping by taking their own action the matter will now be closed.
The RFL could still take action, however, if they decide the player has breached their Respect policy.
Greenshields tweeted his comments while watching the match on television in France.
He announced last month this would be his last season in Super League. The former St George Illawarra player joined the Dragons in 2007 and became the club's first player to score a century of tries.
