What do I do if a spectator abuses a referee?

Unsportsmanlike comments from a spectator. Under NSWRL Policy 5.4 (Tough Love in League, Under 13s to Open Age):

1. The referee has the authority to stop the game.
2. The referee directs the ground manager to ask the coaches of both teams to speak to the supporters and ask them to stop making unsportsmanlike comments.
3. The referee then resumes the game.
4. If the same identified spectator does it a second time, the referee has the authority to abandon the match at their discretion.
5. The spectator is issued a Code of Conduct Breach Notice. If found guilty, the opposing team is awarded a win on forfeit and the number of competition points that constitutes a win (2 or 3) is deducted from the offending team.
6. The offending team is placed on a $1,000 bond for the rest of the competition season. A second offence related to any team means disqualification from the competition.

Touching a referee. Anyone (player, team official or spectator) found guilty of touching a referee or official in an aggressive or inappropriate manner is disqualified from the game for a minimum of 12 months, and the team they play for, support or assist loses the number of competition points that constitutes a win.

Abuse by a team official or spectator. A team official or spectator charged with a High-Grade Code of Conduct breach and found guilty of abusing a referee is disqualified from the game for a minimum of 12 months, and their team loses the competition points that constitute a win.

Either way, record abusive, insulting, threatening language or harassment of a referee in your incident report before 4.00pm on the Tuesday after the match.