The sword of Damocles has finally fallen, with the NRL confirming Parramatta have officially been docked 12 competition points and fined $1 million as a result of years of salary cap breaches.
The points loss leaves the Eels – who, after last night’s win over the Roosters, were sitting fifth on 22 points – now 14th on ten points, ahead of only the team they beat last night and the Knights.
“While each made points worthy of consideration, there was insufficient information in those responses to warrant any change to the penalties originally proposed in the breach notices,” NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said.
“The overall impression that I got from the responses is that no one at the club has taken responsibility for the deliberate, systemic and blatant breaches of the salary cap.
“We have to take a stand to demonstrate that the NRL will not tolerate contraventions of the salary cap which plays such a crucial role in giving us one of the closest competitions in Australian sport.”
Along with the points loss and fine, the Eels have also been stripped of the 2016 Auckland Nines trophy, and the five men said to have overseen the breaches – directors Steven Sharp, Tom Issa, Peter Serrao, chief executive John Boulous, and general manager of football Daniel Anderson, known as the ‘Gang of Five’ – have had their registrations cancelled.
The NRL has imposed the following penalties:
- The Parramatta Eels will be docked 12 competition points from today. In addition, all differential points (for and against) accumulated by the Eels in the first nine rounds will be revoked
- The club will be fined the maximum penalty of $1 million
- Five club officials – Chairman Steve Sharp, Deputy Chairman Tom Issa, Director Peter Serrao, CEO John Boulous and Football Manager Daniel Anderson – have had their registrations cancelled
- The Eels will be stripped of its Auckland Nines title won earlier this year. There will be no official winner for 2016
Greenberg expressed sympathy for the innocent parties in the debacle – the fans, coach Brad Arthur and the players.
“But we have to take a strong stand to preserve the integrity of the salary cap and the competition,” he said.
“We would hope that, in the long term, this will help make the club stronger and ensure there is no repeat of the salary cap breaches which have plagued the club over the last six years.
“The Parramatta club now has one of the biggest decisions it has ever had to make in its 69-year history.
“It can appeal the decision, which is its right, or it can accept this decision and turn Parramatta into the powerhouse club it should be.
“It is my view that it is time for the club to move on and do the right thing by Brad Arthur, the players and the fans.”
As to why the NRL took more than two months to sort the final penalty out, after first flagging this exact set of punishments on May 3, Greenberg said the game wanted to be certain before coming down so heavily.
Former Eels chairman Steve Sharp was made mention of specifically, as “a club legend… who had been a long time member of the Parramatta family”.
Greenberg also said the NRL would offer assistance to the Eels.
“We have not intervened in the running of the club during this investigation because our priority was to give everyone involved a fair hearing,” Greenberg said.
“But it is imperative that we help rebuild the club so it has a strong Board and strong management into the future.
“We note that there are currently several proposals for extraordinary general meetings at the club and we would urge members to support a Board and management group which is focussed on making the Eels a strong, successful team.
“The time for in-fighting and factionalism is over.
“The members have a chance to clear the decks and rebuild the club and we will be encouraging them to do so.”
Josh
Guest
I agree Mr Barry. Brad Arthur has been so dignified in his interviews and how the hell he is managing to keep his troops winning is truly commendable.
Chop
Roar Guru
Harder to prove, just ask the storm players....
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Because due process takes time.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
If the reports of brown paper bags with cash being handed over to players in the car park are true, I'm not sure describing the players as innocent should be a foregone conclusion...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good to have this settled. I think Brad Arthur and the players should be applauded with how they've responded to having this (and every other drama this season) hanging over their heads. Their courage and commitment to keep winning has been amazing. I've gone from thinking its a farce if they make it to sorta secretly hoping they do.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
It took so long because the five board members facing de registration are fighting for their economic lives. As I understand it several of them have positions on other company boards and when you're banished for poor performance from - in this case Parra - you get excluded from being in such an important role. Hence they dragged it out to save themselves. Pure selfishness and a pathological inability to take responsibility for what they did. As far as Parras games is concerned, they had a blinder the other night and I realy like the ticker they displayed in winning under huge duress. Two men on the bench became one man and they defended like berserkers on speed. They'll draw crowds strongly while ever they play good footy. They are the ultimate spoilers right now because every game for them is potentially one loss and you're out of the finals. How motivated does that make you.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's why I thought the NRL did well. They've got fans, sponsors, the media, the club, the players to consider. The punishment is severe. Make no mistake about that. But if offers life for the current season and for the future. In a crowded, competitive and tough sports market, the way the NRL dealt with the issue is to be applauded. It's satiating to wield the axe and play the protector of justice or whatever but really, the world tends to be a bit more nuanced than that.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Disagree. Why didtake so long to finalise the points and penalties? Another question, would they have got the Friday crowd and TV ratings if the penalty had already been applied. I feel that not stripping the points earlier was solely a means to keep interest in the Eels and for ratings.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I'm inclined to agree. Given the context involved, the NRL handled it well.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Will be interesting to see how Parramatta can ride the last part of the season out.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
All things considered I think the NRL actually handled this one well. They gave Parra every chance for a fair outcome while not putting every one of their fans offside. Now the members have an opportunity to prove their mettle and vote in a professional board that will run the place properly. Good result, the system works.
jamesb
Guest
A couple of months ago,the NRL initially punished Parramatta with removal of 12 points, the points they had accumulated at the time. Since then, Parramatta let go of Peats, Paulo and Watmough to be under the cap. And the NRL allowed Parramatta a right of reply with regards to their punishment. Probably taken too long with the due diligence IMO. Anyway, Parramatta has to win every game to make the eight. A long shot really
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Can someone explain to me why the pts removal is only 12? I mean it will be a fruitless exercise if they actually make the final series.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
They also deducted their points for and against - but not of their opponents. So now the for and against won't add up, the horror.
Womblat
Guest
They are playing better than the Broncos at the moment anyway.
PNG Broncos fan88
Guest
Second sentence misleading. Courtesy of NRL.com ladder - Eels now in 12 spot on 12 points, with 10pts differential. - Above the Rabbits, Sea Eagles, Roosters, Knights - Just 6 points adrift of the top 8, while 2 wins away from Tigers & Titans They still can make the finals, stranger things have happened.
Steve
Guest
Excellent. Can we all stop talking about Parramatta now? Its getting very tedious hearing about this basket case of an organisation every single day. If I hear one more story about it I think I'll blow my brains out.