27 Sep 2012

Broncos coaches fined for abusing refs

7:14 am on 27 September 2012

The National Football League has fined Denver Broncos head coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio a combined $67,000 for verbally abusing replacement officials last week.

Fox was fined $36,000 and Del Rio $31,000 for abusing game officials during their loss to the Atlanta Falcons, which included lengthy delays and needed more than an hour to play the first quarter.

The NFL's full-time referees are locked out as they seek a new labor agreement, forcing the league to use replacement referees who have been widely criticised during the opening three weeks of the 2012 season.