Rugby League World Cup boss Michael Brown has resigned amid reports he admitted to bullying a Penrith official in a voicemail message.
Brown also stood down from his role as the NRL’s chief commercial officer after a transcript of the message left for Panthers chief executive Corey Payne was sent to NRL boss Todd Greenberg.
RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP FIXTURES
“You can’t threaten people and you can’t bully people,” News Corp Australia quoted Brown as saying.
Payne slammed World Cup organisers after the draw for next year’s tournament revealed NSW would host just two games.
Greenberg said he had to accept the resignation of Brown on Friday.
“It’s been very public, a stoush between (Brown) and a club CEO this week,” Greenberg told EON Sports Radio.
“All of us admit things could have been handled better and more professionally.
“But none of us have that benefit of hindsight so today (Brown) offered his resignation and I accepted it.”
In an open letter to Penrith members, Payne claimed it was staggering a World Cup match was not scheduled for Sydney’s outer western suburbs, the supposed heartland of the game.
“I am extremely disappointed that we have been snubbed by the NRL for ‘commercial reasons’,” he wrote.
“It is a real shame that the NRL cannot see the opportunity out here in the west.
“If they cannot make World Cup games commercially viable in western Sydney, then I must be living on the moon – western Sydney deserves better.”
Brown, a former Hawthorn Football Club boss and Cricket Australia general manager who was appointed to the World Cup role in June last year, said he was stung by Payne’s attack.
“I didn’t respond like I should have and I’ve got to take responsibility for my action. It’s not the normal way I behave,” he said.
In an earlier NRL statement, Brown claimed working in two jobs in rugby league had taken its toll.
“The task of taking on two such senior roles – especially away from my home town of Melbourne – has been particularly stressful,” he said in a statement.
NSW will host just two of the World Cup’s 28 games – both against league minnows Lebanon in pool matches against Australia and England at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.
Brown said during the tournament draw launch that the NSW government failed to come to the party financially and therefore the state was largely overlooked in the schedule.
Non-traditional rugby league cities to be granted a World Cup match include Darwin which will host a quarter-final.
RLWC chief operating officer Maria Sykes will be interim chief executive.
The NRL’s head of commercial Andrew Abdo will report directly to Greenberg.
Mctavish
Guest
True maybe Qld offered more but there would be few travelers to Sydney for the games so NSW did well to keep their money. It is embarrassing that the RLWC is in Brisbane rather than the biggest city - like playing the Soccer Wo rld Cup in Manchester...apparently penrith wanted 500K for the game ? Is that true Gus??
Alex L
Roar Rookie
To be completely fair, Corey Payne deserved to be abused somewhat for his stupid opinion.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I just hope that none of this seriously impacts on the quality of next year's tournament.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
From what I heard, that $4 million pledge was for the final, 1 semi, 1 qtr & a pool match. Remembering QLD paid 3 million for just the final, I think the RLWC organising committee had every right to play hardball with the NSE government. Added, in terms of the Penrith blow up, that club knew exactly why they didn't get a match especially when you compare it to the deal the NT govt gave the RLWC. For Payne to then go public & whinge why they didn't get a match or the two they asked for, was a bit rich. Unfortunate for Brown he lost his temper but I can sympathise to a degree. In a way Payne bullied the RLWC organisers 'in public' and one can see quite a bit of bile on social media pages toward the RLWC over that decision. So Payne did just as much bullying. Where's his accountability?
p.Tah
Guest
Brown blames NSW for 'not coming to the party' regarding funding? They offered $4m to host games! "Fairfax Media understands the negotiating tactics of Brown, who was also the 2017 Rugby League World Cup boss, is also internally being blamed for the NSW government's decision to withdraw $4 million of funding to stage games in Sydney during the tournament...Destinations NSW boss Sandra Chipchase and her staff pledged $4million before it was dropped to $2 million before funding was later taken off the table'