Full back Will Kennedy will miss the Sharks' next match against the North Queensland Cowboys in round 21 after accepting the early guilty plea on a match review charge.
Kennedy was charged with grade two Contrary Conduct after colliding with referee Adam Gee while backing up a Sharks line break in the first half of his team's 58-6 win over the Tigers last Friday night.
With the early plea, Kennedy is suspended for one match.
After considering the options and receiving advice over the weekend and earlier today, the Sharks and Kennedy reluctantly accepted the suspension. Had he contested the charge at a judiciary hearing and failed to have the charge dismissed, Kennedy would have missed two games.
In other judiciary news, Sharks prop Tom Hazelton also accepted the early guilty plea after being charged for a crusher tackle on Wests Tigers forward Fonua Pole in the 29th minute.
Hazelton has been fined $1,500.
The Sharks have a round 20 bye this weekend, with their next match in Townsville against the Cowboys on July 27.
