NRL gave Gallen $80,000 for lawyers: report

By News / Wire

31st October, 2014

Cronulla captain Paul Gallen reportedly received almost $80,000 from the NRL while under investigation by ASADA to cover his legal costs.

The amount was significantly more than that given to any other past or present Sharks player, Fairfax Media reported on Friday.

It is alleged Gallen received the special treatment after choosing not to use the legal team appointed by the Rugby League Players Association during the doping investigation.

MORE:
» Can we stop feeling sorry for Paul Gallen?
» Paul Gallen’s punishment was over the top
» Rugby League’s full circle relationship with Paul Gallen

The report claims the NRL committed $350,000 to the 17 past and present Cronulla players handed show-cause notices by ASADA in August.

Of that amount, Gallen’s supposed $80,000 allotment accounts for 23 per cent of the total sum.

The revelations come after judiciary chairman Paul Conlon sensationally quit his post on Wednesday in protest of the NSW skipper’s treatment for a foul-mouthed Twitter rant.

Gallen, who tweeted the NRL were “c***s”, was fined $50,000 for the tirade earlier this week – a punishment Conlon deemed grossly unfair.

The Crowd Says:

2014-10-31T23:39:00+00:00

Elma Dudd

Guest

I wish some c#%t would give me 80 gees.

2014-10-31T23:22:50+00:00

Asko

Guest

Completely agree Silver Sovereign!

2014-10-31T07:56:21+00:00

Alex L

Roar Rookie

Because he's an asset to the NRL... duh.

2014-10-31T05:22:23+00:00

Silver Sovereign

Roar Rookie

That is ridiculous. why would you pay a player's legal fees? That is up to him or his club. The NRL should have stayed out of it. Gallen should at least pay back the 50 grand. I know they are trying the mental health sympathy vote for Gallen now. They are really digging deep to have Gallen use every excuse in the book. He must have Beale's management team. I was brought up to take responsibility for my actions

2014-10-31T04:05:32+00:00

Benedict Arnold

Guest

Well they didn't pay any of Sandor Earl's legal fees.

2014-10-31T02:52:34+00:00

Jackson Henry

Roar Guru

Reportedly. Not saying it's bollocks, but geez, you can't help but be cynical about the timing...particularly given the dozens of other examples that you can find in relation to Gallen's RL history and the fact that a consistent theme of his career is that lot of his misfortune is everyone else's fault.

2014-10-31T00:16:49+00:00

MJB

Guest

I get that Gallen is struggling with depression, but it's hard to feel sympathy if he's going to lash out at people who are demonstrably trying to help him.

2014-10-30T23:46:55+00:00

Edward Kelly

Guest

I think Gallen is in the middle of some other power play here.

2014-10-30T23:41:25+00:00

Judd

Guest

So he's still $30 grand up then? Seems pretty good to me.

2014-10-30T23:27:52+00:00

Nonu

Guest

The NRL leaks to Fairfax newspapers further infuriating the competitors News Ltd - have they any idea how to compromise...