Former Manly winger John Hopoate is expected to plead not guilty to abusing junior match officials when he fronts a specially convened NSW Rugby League sub-committee on October 25.

Hopoate could be banned from all rugby league sidelines if he is found guilty of threatening and abusing junior match officials while acting as a waterboy for Manly Cove during a match involving his son's under-13 team.

The referee and a touch judge involved in the semi-final against the Western City Tigers complained of Hopoate's behaviour in their match reports.

However, Manly Cove president Scott Taylor said the reports were "very conflicting" and claims Hopoate swore at children were "fiction".

"We are just going with the facts, that's all we are doing, not the fiction that's been thrown around at the moment," Taylor said.

"Some people have made accusations about what was said and those accusations are untrue.

"We believe John is innocent, there shouldn't be any punishment.

"John was running the water, which he is allowed to do. He had a conversation, but John doesn't swear in front of kids.

"He is an exceptional coach and role model for the kids when he is involved with them.

"John's an active influence at our club and there's an awful lot of stuff that people don't see.

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