The Parramatta Eels will lose all 12 of the competition points and be fined $1 million for breaches to their salary cap dating back to 2013.
In addition, the club will be stripped of the Auckland Nines titles they won in early 2016.
Parra salary cap scandal
» Press conference: Parra breached the cap by $3 million, players may be investigated
» Parramatta docked 12 points, fined $1 million for salary cap breaches
» Will the Eels take the NRL to court?
» Read the full statement from the NRL
However, Parramatta fans have been given a glimmer of hope, and a reason to cheer for the remainder of the 2016 season, with the NRL announcing that “The club will be able to begin accruing points as soon as it makes the necessary changes to comply with the 2016 cap.”
With the competition breaking for the representative round this weekend, the Eels have ten days to get their list in compliance.
With 17 matches remaining in the 2016 season, the Eels could theoretically finish as high as fourth (based on final standings from the 2015 season), meaning finals are still on the cards for the Eels.
So how does this scenario compare to previous salary cap punishments handed down to NRL clubs?
In 2002, the Canterbury Bulldogs were fined $500,000 and deducted 37 points for breaches totalling $2.13 million. The Bulldogs were leading the competition at that point.
In 2005, the Warriors were fined $430,000 and started the 2006 season on -4 points for breaches totalling $1.1 million. The four-point deduction resulted in the Warriors missing out on playing finals in 2006.
In 2010, the Melbourne Storm were stripped of the 2007 and 2009 premierships and fined an Australian sporting record of $1.689 million for five years worth of breaches. The Storm were sentenced to finish in last place in 2010, playing out a majority of the season without being able to earn competition points.
What do you think Roarers? Where does the Eels punishment sit when compared to the Bulldogs, Warriors and Storm?
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Parramatta eased the pressure on coach Brad Arthur with an upset 27-20 win over the Cowboys at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night despite an…
Joey Lussick looked to have channelled his inner Mitch Kenny for a try directly off the Cowboys' short drop out - only for the…
Dylan Brown and Bryce Cartwright were placed on report in the first half, with Cartwright's forearm to the head of Tom Dearden incensing Chad…
Josh Schuster's days at Manly could be numbered after the big-money second-rower was granted permission to open negotiations with NRL rivals. Just 10 months…
The Raiders were given a trademark “Sticky spray” after their pathetic collapse against Cronulla last Sunday. Seven days later they did coach Ricky Stuart…
Playing talent is always important, yet creating a winning culture even more so.
