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Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill has responded to news that his club could be fined $250,000 as part of a breach notice for their controversial Mad Monday activities.
Hill told media at the club’s headquarters that the images depicted “unacceptable” behaviour and, while the club was “disappointed with the severity of the fine”, they would accept the NRL’s hefty sanctions.
He promised the club would conduct a “full review” into what took place on the now infamous Monday celebration, while also announcing club-issued fines for Adam Elliot, Asipeli Fine and Marcelo Montoya.
Elliot and Fine were each fined $25,000 – $10,000 of which is suspended – while Montoya received a $10,000 sanction – $5,000 of which is suspended.
Hill did stress, however, that the players were good people who had acted “immaturely and irresponsibly”.
Original story follows
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has today announced the Bulldogs have officially been issued with a breach notice for their widely-publicised Mad Monday misbehaviour, with a fine of $250,000 proposed as penalty for their misdeeds.
Citing the fact three players were under police investigation following the events, a press release issued by the league claims Greenberg felt the build-up to the finals had been “badly damaged by the failure of the Bulldogs to properly manage the event.”
Aggravating circumstances included the fact the event took place in an area viewable by the general public, as well as the fact that the club itself scheduled the event and had senior officials present.
“The club organised the event and failed to implement the most basic of measures to ensure it was conducted in an appropriate way,” Greenberg said.
“The club’s failure to manage the event followed specific directives to all clubs to ensure these type of events do not damage our game.
“The players’ behaviour embarrassed themselves, their club and the game on the eve of the Finals Series,” he added.
While Greenberg said he felt the penalty was reflective of the damage the incident has caused the game, the Bulldogs will have five days to respond before the heaviness of the fine is determined.
Additionally, any club penalties the Bulldogs choose to impose on their own players or officials would be “taken into consideration” before the fine is issued.
“The actions of some players and officials was inexcusable and we are determined to send a message that it will not be tolerated on this occasion – or in the future,” Greenberg said.
“There has been a real improvement in player behaviour this year – and we should all acknowledge that.
“But to have this kind of incident on the eve of our finals is more than disappointing and there has to be a deterrent to ensure we have no repeat of this behaviour.”
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