The NRL has stood down touch judge Russell Turner and fined Newcastle $1,000 following a tit-for-tat verbal stoush on the sidelines at Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium on Friday night.

Turner will not officiate in any match this weekend after it was revealed he had become engaged in a slanging match with members of the Newcastle camp who were situated on the Knights bench.

"There are clear rules against anyone on the team bench trying to influence on-field officials or simply seeking to abuse on-field officials and they will be enforced," NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said.

"At the same time our officials need to understand that if a breach does occur then it needs to be handled through the proper channels and that they cannot engage in dialogue with the bench or anyone else on the sideline, regardless of how inappropriate the approach may have been."

It is claimed the altercation began when the Knights took exception to a forward pass ruling which denied forward Danny Wicks a four-pointer just before halftime in Manly's 44-20 round 20 win.

Turner was then caught on camera gesticulating to the Knights bench as he pretended to cry and wipe tears from his face following a ruling in Manly's favour later in the match.

Words were also exchanged between the warring parties with the Knights making a complaint to the NRL on Monday morning.

"We concede that both parties could have acted in a more professional manner and that both need to share the ramifications of that outcome," Annesley said.

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