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Paul Gallen has $15,000 shaved off fine for foul tweet

Paul Gallen is going from strength to strength in the ring. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
11th November, 2014
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Cronulla and NSW Blues captain Paul Gallen has had $15,000 of his $50,000 fine suspended after submitting evidence to the NRL.

Gallen was fined $50,000 last month for a tweet where he called administrators at the NRL “c***s” following the departure of Sharks CEO Steve Noyce.

He was immediately slapped with a $50,000 breach notice, which many felt was an over-the-top punishment for the crime.

NRL CEO Dave Smith said that if Gallen breaches of the Code of Conduct again in the next 12 months, the suspended $15,000 will be imposed.

He confirmed that the “mitigating information” that Gallen supplied convinced them to suspend the amount, but said they respected Gallen’s desire that the information supplied remain private.

“The original penalty was appropriate based on the seriousness of the incident and the information before us at the time,” Mr Smith said.

“But, based on the additional information provided to us by Paul in a submission and at a meeting with the NRL, we have decided to suspend part of the fine.”

Gallen will also have to complete a leadership course to be eligible for Kangaroos selection in 2015.

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“This remains one of the biggest financial penalties imposed on an individual player because it involved one of the most senior and influential people in our game,” Mr Smith said.

“We recognise that Paul has been through a lot over the last two years but that does not excuse such a serious breach of the code.

“We must protect our brand and ensure we set a good example to children and other fans.

“So we will continue to be vigilant against any behaviour which brings the game into disrepute.

“But we are also sensitive to player welfare issues and that is why we have modified the penalty in this case.”

What do you think Roarers? Is this the right move from the NRL? Was the original punishment for Paul Gallen too harsh?

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