The club was informed of the decision this week and follows a meeting of the Group 3 

management. 

The club will appeal the decision and will enter talks with Country Rugby League next week.

Macleay has been found guilty of breaching the group's code of conduct and the National Rugby League code of conduct during the season.

The first was from having unaccredited coaches, the second for player misconduct in a match against Wauchope at Wauchope and the third was for a player, Nigel Hookey, threatening a 

referee.

The group initially suspended the five lost points from the Hookey incident. Hookey was later rubbed out for five years.

However, those points were reinstated following the latest incident that followed the Group 3 player of the year presentation held in September.

The group management claimed the club breached the National Rugby League code of conduct concerning social media.

Group secretary, Barrie Smith, claims there were a number of postings on the club's Facebook page alleging bias against Macleay players regarding the allocation of player of the year points. 

He said some of the postings were of a racist nature, where group officials were labelled “racist” and “redneck”.

The posts were removed from the Facebook page although the group has copies of what was written.

Group 3 cited Macleay president Dave Fernando along with players Al Lockwood, Anthony Cowan and Mal Webster from the Mustangs along with Mitch Fowler from Port City Breakers and Old Bar's Kurt Lewis, who allegedly replied to the posts.

Fowler, Fernando and Lockwood failed to attend. Webster and Lewis were both given severe cautions with Cowan suspended until April 20, 2015.

Macleay had legal representation at the meeting with Group 3 this week along with club secretary Debbie Burley and vice president Peter McMahon.

Smith confirmed that the group have sought legal advice on how to handle the matter.

"I will be doing a seven team draw to present to our annual meeting on November 16,'' he said.

Mustangs officials said they were awaiting notification of the outcome of the hearing.

Smith said the group management initially supported Macleay's application and  worked to get other clubs to support it.

However, he said there's been “constant problems” with the club throughout the year.

Smith firmly rejected any claims of bias against Macleay regarding the allocation of player of the year points. 

These are awarded by group management members on duty at matches.

“Macleay players were awarded 61 points more than any other club in the competition,” he said.

“But the fact is their players took points off their teammates.

“A similar thing happened some years ago when Taree City won a premiership.”

Smith said rugby league had been played for many years in the area without the Macleay club and will continue to do so in the future.

He added Macleay players were free to turn out with other clubs in Group 3 and beyond.