SYDNEY: Canberra chief executive Don Furner yesterday backed down from his fiery outburst as the NRL defended its judicial system against claims of inconsistency.

Furner was furious on Wednesday night after Raiders forward and former Farrer star Tom Learoyd-Lahrs was suspended for the rest of the season after failing to have his dangerous throw charge downgraded from a grade four to a three.

The Raiders boss said there was no consistency in the grading of tackles, after the judiciary panel had been shown several examples of lower-grade tackles which he believed were equally as bad or worse than Learoyd-Lahrs’.

He also sensationally claimed Learoyd-Lahrs was not given a fair hearing, prompting the NRL to contact him yesterday.

“Don’s comments at the time raised questions and we sought clarification as to what he meant by ‘unfair’ after the hearing,” NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said yesterday.

“He said he regretted the choice of words and as much as he may disagree with the decision, he did not intend any suggestion of bias or lack of procedure by the panel, the judiciary chairman, or the judiciary staff.

“He has apologised if that suggestion has been taken and his apology has been forwarded to the judiciary.”

Annesley said Furner had sailed very close to the wind with his comments but his apology had been accepted and he would not be fined.

Furner is not the first chief executive to voice concerns about the consistency of the league’s judicial system this year.

Earlier this month, Brisbane boss Bruno Cullen was furious after Justin Hodges was suspended for two matches for making a rude gesture towards referee Tony Archer.