Manly have vowed to defend themselves against allegations they cheated the NRL salary cap over the last five years.
The Sea Eagles are facing a hefty punishment after they were on Monday issued with a breach notice by the NRL over alleged payments to players outside the salary cap.
The club has five days to respond to the NRL integrity unit’s findings but says it disagrees with Rugby League Central’s allegations contained within the breach notice.
“Based on our legal team’s preliminary review, there is disagreement with several of the NRL findings,” CEO Lyall Gorman said in a club statement.
“And consistent with our rights under the NRL rules and regulations, have commenced a path of legal review and response.
“As we have consistently stated, if there are historical compliance issues, we will work both internally and with the NRL to identify those issues and remedy them.
“There is a significant amount of material to work through, based on the documentation handed to us today and the club will be defending those matters through the appropriate channels.”
The club has five days to respond but said it was planning to ask for an extension.
If the allegations are proven, the Sea Eagles are facing a “significant fine”.
Two current club officials have been handed show-cause notices and are facing being deregistered.
They will also be forced to operate under an adjusted salary cap in 2018.
According to the breach notice, the Sea Eagles promised player payments outside the salary cap and the club could be forced to include those payments in next year’s salary cap.
They were in the running to sign halves Trent Hodkinson and Todd Carney but any salary cap penalty would rule them out of pursuing the players.
BleakCity
Roar Rookie
Clearly there's been whistle-blowers. These things only get "uncovered" by the NRL this way. The only difference this year is the NRL aren't leaking snippets to the press every day. Exactly how does an "NRL legal" TPA come about by the way?? Why are the panthers not being investigated after Maloney's blooper in the press about waiting for the club to organise the TPA before signing? The whole TPA system is flawed & this selective "investigating" is just embarrassing. Does TG really believe that we don't know what's going on? Call an amnesty, bring in a fairer system & let's get on with a bona fide level playing field.
Big Daddy
Guest
It just proves the roosters board is a little bit smarter than wests. Remember they got rid of Farah and still had to pay him. Some boards aren't real smart, you only have to look at Canterbury debacle ATM.
Geo
Guest
It blows over when you work for the Broncos mate, now that you're at Manly you may actually have to answer questions. Why does the NRL care if a team goes over their cap by the odd million or so, when the NRL's own rules allow teams with rich and influential benefactors to "organise" TPA's so that the Roosters have $15m worth of cattle, and Wests just $10m?
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
They will get off, no penalty. Just like when they had Dank on board for 6 years... Yeah, nothing to see here, move along!
Nat
Roar Guru
It does seem weird that it has bounced around many various forms of allegations. I read that this has come from former players/managers so yes, it could just be a disgruntled ex with revenge on his mind. Knowing all allegations have to be investigated, they throw enough mud, tip off the press and see what sticks.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah Paul it is a bit of a tough one from a fans perspective. You are right. There have been salary cap issues for a few years now. But each time they were found to be compliant. Nothing stuck there so we moved onto match fixing allegations. Again nothing there, despite being tarnished in the media, and suddenly we are back to the salary cap again over the past 5 years?! Seems strange. Like somebody is desperate to get something to stick. But I’ve always maintained that if Manly have breached the TPAs then fine them, dock points, whatever. Just as I was clear that if matches were fixed all involved should be removed from the game. But what I find odd is that during the Fairfax investigation into salary cap breaches they interviewed a businessman who was quoted as saying that he paid multiple players over the years, illegally, but none of them were from Manly. Yet those clubs names have never been mentioned in the media. Not sure why that would be the case. Perhaps there is a bigger story on the way and they are simply going after the low hanging fruit for now.
paul
Guest
I'm not a Manly fan, far from it, but I can't help wondering what is going on? I seem to recall allegations of salary cap issues each year for the past few years but now the League is saying this has been a problem for 5 years? Manly needs to get this issue done and dusted asap. If parties are guilty, pay the fines or what ever and move on. If the charges are not found to be proven, Manly should be given an explanation about why this issue hit the press. Either way, they're doing themselves, their players and their fans no favours if they let this issue continue into the next season.
Andrew Gee
Guest
LIsten. This will all blow over. Trust me.