The NRL has dropped a second bombshell in a whirlwind few hours, with Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe facing deregistration for his role in a player payment scandal.
In a statement released by the league – the same one where punishments were proposed for the Sharks and Shane Flanagan – the Tigers were issued a breach notice after they were found to have made an undisclosed payment to Robbie Farah in 2016 that should have been included in the salary cap.
A deal was reportedly struck – before Farah left for South Sydney – to pay the former captain $639,000 to rejoin the Tigers as an ambassador at the end of his career.
But the NRL found that payment should not only have been disclosed, but also included in the salary cap.
A fine of $750,000 has been proposed, while the league is also moving to include the $639,000 payment in the Tigers’ 2019 salary cap figure.
Related
The big news, however, is the notice of intention issued to CEO Justin Pascoe that would see his registration cancelled.
Like the Shane Flanagan news, the findings are preliminary and both Pascoe and the Tigers have until the end of January to respond to the allegations.
In that time, however, Pascoe will not be permitted to act in an official capacity with the club.
The NRL statement cleared Farah of any wrongdoing.
The Tigers have also issued a statement of their own in response, claiming to be “shocked with the decision and extremely disappointed in the process”, while also vowing to “vigorously defend” the charge.
In the statement, the club claimed the arrangement with Farah was “unrelated to his career as a player”, and was nothing more than an olive branch being extended to the star hooker by then-new CEO Pascoe.
Pascoe had “felt that the club had disrespected Robbie and [the payment] was a way to show him the respect that Justin felt he deserved.”
“Most importantly Wests Tigers derive absolutely no advantage from this arrangement. It is not tied in any way to Robbie’s playing contract.
“Wests Tigers are particularly concerned about the wrongful attack on the integrity of the club’s CEO. For the last three years Justin has shown nothing but respect for the NRL and the salary cap.”
Footy Fan
Guest
I'd love to hear some logic about how having an ex-Auditor on staff makes it more likely that a team would cheat rather than a roadtrain truckload less likely. The Auditor would be at great risk of being labelled the G.O.A.T. of all cheats. And of course, calling into severe question everything to do with his legacy, hard work and reputation. Should be a fun read .... lol.
Footy Fan
Guest
Why ... do the Roosters only list 26 players on their official site? Only needs to hit 30 by 30 June in 2019. Many clubs run with less than 30 so they can sign newbies or promote an emerging star. No special rules granted. You've quoted $1M for two wingers covering a single wing. The Chooks have form over 5+ years of negotiating really hard with wingers and letting them go if they're not happy. The Roosters originally signed Fergo very cheaply (he'd been banned after several misdemeanours) and he worked his way up to about $400k (he went to Parra for $500k). Not a million miles different to when Keary signed at his lowest point. I'd suggest Hall $350k and Morris $250k, and if that's wrong then the real value would be less. Crichton on more than the NSW and Roosters captain, a loyal servant and favoured son. Say wha?? They signed Crichton after 1 full year of 1st grade. And why would they pay Tedesco 1.1M when they could pay 1M? He's a fullback, not JT. And he gets a chance to win a premiership & cement an Aus spot.
AngryEagle47
Roar Rookie
eels47 good to see on on a decent forum
Fred
Guest
It was unrelated to him as a player because he was playing for Souths, not Wests.
Fred
Guest
But he was playing for Souths, not Wests, so to call it back-ending a contract doesn't even make sense.
eels47
Roar Rookie
I get where you are coming from but I think what they were talking about in that instance was the footy team, not the organisation.
Reg Reagan
Roar Rookie
I've posted the numbers on here before. Currently, the Roosters don't have the cap space for a full 30 man squad, They only have 26 players listed on their own website, and in 2019 they have 3 players on $1 mill, 1 on $850K, 2 on $650K and 2 on $500K (and that isn't accounting for upgrades to Latrell Mitchell and Joseph Manu and half a dozen other players with international rep experience). Also, the minimum NRL salary in 2019 is set to $105K but this is intended for Rookies with NO NRL experience NOT for players who have played international test football and origin (Tupou, JWH, Taukeiaho and Liu) and what club would not sign Victor Radley for 4 times the minimum NRL salary? I would like to say more but I promised eels47 I would try to change the record in time for Christmas. @ eels47, don't read the first paragraph mate. Doh! I should have put this first... too late now. LOL
Reg Reagan
Roar Rookie
Don’t worry boys. If eels47 gets out of line I’ll smack him down again with one of the Eels’ 14 wooden spoons. They have plenty to spare. Bahahahahahahaha You didn’t say anything about me not playing with your club’s wooden spoon collection. LOL
Reg Reagan
Roar Rookie
"Reg goes a whole article without commenting on the Roosters salary cap?" I don't know eels47. You're asking me to play off a pretty big handicap. I'd feel like Jack Newton playing golf! LOL
eels47
Roar Rookie
Maybe it is you who should be giving the other "kiddies" a go hey. Maybe we can try a new agreement? Reg goes a whole article without commenting on the Roosters salary cap? I know you will get itchy fingers and all, but it could be fun don't you think?
eels47
Roar Rookie
I wasn't doubting your information mate, my comment was directed at Reg's constant commenting on the Roosters salary cap. He agreed to leave it be a few weeks ago, I knew he wouldn't, so now I get to have cheap digs at him every now and then when he brings it up again.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
Interesting that WT claim to have got absolutely no advantage out of agreeing to pay Farah $600k. I'd think that club directors and officials might want to be careful about saying things like that. Paying $600k for nothing sounds a lot like breaching their duties to act in the best interests of the company (assuming WT is a company). ASIC?
Matt H
Roar Guru
The premise is that promising to pay a player a large sum after he retires is a way of back ending a contract so that not all of it is included in the cap. The NRL specifically requires these types of arrangements to be included in the cap. Unless you are Andrew Johns threatening to go to Rugby Union of course. In that case you get your Channel Nine job for life no questions asked.
Matt H
Roar Guru
And in fact in some reports they are saying that the Tigers misled the NRL, that they didn;t just not report it, but actively denied it.
JN
Roar Rookie
You seem more obsessed with the roosters than your own team, which is quite funny. I hope Souths go well this year for your sake
Matt H
Roar Guru
Were do the TPA's fit into this?
JN
Roar Rookie
Yet again speculation. You will never be able to have definitive salary numbers for any team until the nrl enforces a rule to publish them (which they should). The players could be taking less pay for the ultimate goal of a premiership like the Sea Eagles did in their purple patch of 2007-2011. Some clubs may actually be well run, unlike my club, who stumbled on Robbie Farah of all players. The Rabbitohs, roosters, and broncos are clubs generally well run and have great rosters. Until the nrl says something otherwise, none of us fans no anything about salary cap situations of other teams. I wish the nrl could put an end to speculation by releasing players salaries, but alas that looks unlikely
AngryEagle47
Roar Rookie
eels47 , you know as well as I do I’ve posted elsewhere over 2months covering many issues and I’ve been 100% I don’t need to or will release any contacts I have either accept it or don’t doesn’t make a difference to me
Reg Reagan
Roar Rookie
Now, now eels47 give the other “kiddies” a go. You have already had your turn along with “Ned”. We don’t want others copying your work now do we? Besides, as a Rabbitohs supporter, I don’t have as much to be livid about as you and the supporters of the other 3 clubs that have been punished by the NRL for salary cap breaches that are relatively inconsequential to what the Roosters have gotten away with in 2013/2014 and 2018/2019. You and your eels mates should be joining the “Angry Eagle” and Sharks and Tigers supporters with pitch forks and blazing torches crying out “kill the beast!” instead of letting the Roosters walk all over you and singing like Lumière “Be our guest”. LOL
eels47
Roar Rookie
So much for letting it go hey?