NRL chief executive David Gallop has stood by the decision to issue Paul Gallen a $10,000 breach notice despite the under-fire Sharks captain not being given a chance to defend himself against allegations that he made a racial slur.

Gallen was slapped with the fine on Monday over an alleged racial comment aimed at St George Illawarra forward Mickey Paea in Saturday night's 26-4 win to the Dragons.

Paea declined to make an official on-field complaint and the pair reconciled after the game, but the NRL still opted to fine Gallen for a breach of the NRL player code of conduct.

The Test and NSW star's manager David Riolo said due process should have at least allowed his client the opportunity to stake his case before the breach notice was issued, but Gallop said Gallen's apology was proof enough of the transgression.

"We were satisfied that there was sufficient evidence that a racial slur had been made against Mickey Paea, we note that the player Paul Gallen has apologised for that, we consider that to be sufficient evidence," Gallop said.

"If he wants to make submissions in relation to that then he's entitled to do that and I'll consider those submissions, but the fact is he's apologised for something and I'm not sure how a denial now sits with that apology."

Riolo - who refused to comment on what Gallen had actually said to Paea - claimed his client wasn't afforded the opportunity to defend himself.

"It's really disappointing the breach has been issued and that the media has been informed that there will be a breach issued before the player has actually been spoken to or even asked any questions about the incident in any way, shape or form," Riolo said.

"I would have just thought that common practice and due process would have been that the player at least gets a chance to talk about the alleged incident."

Asked if Gallen would fight the breach notice, Riolo said: "We're not sure what we're fighting yet, it's very difficult for me to comment without the actual breach notice.

"Rather than say we'll fight it, we'd like to say that we'd at least get a hearing, and I think most fair-minded people would think that would be the right way to act."

Riolo said Gallen was "really disappointed" with the fine and the way the incident had come across after meeting with the rugged backrower at Cronulla Leagues Club, where the Sharks board was meeting with NRL chief executive David Gallop to discuss the club's financial plight and the off-field scandals that have engulfed the club.

Gallop said he believed the Sharks board would be reviewing Gallen's role as club captain as a result of the incident, chairman Barry Pierce indicating they would await the arrival of the breach notice before any further action is considered.

"I only heard about it late... I do know that he is going to appeal that and obviously he's got due process and all I can say is we'll have to wait till we see the breach notice," Piece said after emerging from the meeting with Gallop.

"I've had a lot on my plate tonight, I don't know much more than that."

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