The Canberra Raiders NRL club has sacked halfback Todd Carney.
Club chief executive Don Furner said the board had deliberated on Thursday morning following a series of off-field behavioural issues with the representative halfback.
“The board decided they had had enough,” Furner told reporters.
In a short statement, Furner said a final decision had only been made on Thursday after Carney and his manager David Riolo had met with the board.
“The board met and discussed Todd with his manager and Todd was granted his request to put his case to the board,” Furner said.
“Regrettably they (the board) chose to terminate his contract.”
NRL chief executive David Gallop says Carney will not be allowed to play for any other NRL club in 2009.
The NRL has followed through on its threat to de-register the 22-year-old, who had his four-year contract with the Raiders torn up following a string of off-field misdemeanours.
The Raiders informed the NRL that they were not satisfied with Carney’s commitment to a rehabilitation and disciplinary plan which was put forward following his latest indiscretion, allegedly urinating on the head of a fellow patron at a Canberra pub last month.
“This isn’t a situation where we could allow another club to benefit by gaining access to Todd’s services next season,” Gallop said in a statement.
“It’s hard to imagine how such an outcome would benefit the player or the game.
“If Todd can address his issues, and support services will remain available to him to do so through our counselling and welfare programs, then we would reassess his position for the 2010 season.
“We are not in a position to prevent him from going to other competitions, we are simply setting a clear standard about what will be tolerated in our competition.”
Strife and times of Canberra Raiders NRL star Todd Carney who was today sacked by the club:
June 2004: Makes NRL debut for Raiders just two weeks after his 18th birthday.
December 06: Charged with mid-range drink driving and reckless driving following an incident in Goulburn.
January 07: Faces court over Goulburn incident.
February 07: Licence suspended for five years.
May 07: Carney and fellow Raiders player Steve Irwin lead police on a car chase through Canberra’s streets before Carney abandons the car and flees.
May 07: Carney hands himself into police the morning after the chase.
May 07: Raiders put Carney on a rehabilitation plan.
June 07: Handed 200 hours community service for pursuit and driving while his licence was suspended.
March 08: Signs four-year deal worth an estimated $400,000 a season to remain with the Raiders.
May 08: Stars in his representative debut for Country Origin.
July 08: Allegedly urinates on a patron at a Canberra pub, though complaint is eventually withdrawn. Stood down indefinitely by Raiders.
Aug 08: Handed a non-negotiable five-point rehabilitation plan which includes clause stating he cannot play again this season and must go on an alcohol ban until the end of 2012.
Aug 08: Carney writes an open letter claiming he should be allowed to play this season.
Aug 08: Whilst suspended by the club, allegedly evicted from Goulburn club following involvement in a verbal altercation.
Aug 08: Has contract terminated by the Raiders with the NRL vowing not to register a contract with another NRL club for 2009.
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