Parramatta Eels salary cap penalty confirmed
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has confirmed Parramatta Eels will lose twelve competition points and be fined $1m for salary cap breaches.
The Parramatta Board members part of the ‘Gang of Five’ have had their registrations cancelled for their part in the salary cap saga.
Parramatta’s for and against for the first nine rounds have been revoked and they have been stripped of the 2016 Auckland Nines title.
The verdict comes 67 days after the NRL released preliminary findings that proposed fines and sanctions after widespread cheating of the salary cap system.
As a result of the twelve competition points being deducted, Parramatta drop from fourth place on the ladder (24 points) to as high as twelfth spot (12 points), six points off eighth placed Penrith Panthers.
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Timeline – Eels Salary Cap disaster
May 21, 2015
NRL CEO David Smith confirms $525,000 fine for salary cap breaches in 2014. Smith said the club’s governance had failed but he acknowledged that steps were now being taken to improve the systems at Parramatta.
March 13, 2016
Parramatta Eels CEO John Boulous says his club is committed to assisting the NRL’s latest salary cap investigations.
May 3, 2016
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg releases preliminary findings which proposes the Eels are fined up to $1m, docked off all 12 competition points, stripped of their Auckland Nines 2016 title and registrations cancelled for Steve Sharp, Tom Issa, Peter Serrao, John Boulous and Daniel Anderson.
Eels officials win Supreme Court Injunction against NRL deregistration.
May 5, 2016
Ryan Morgan signs with Melbourne Storm for the remainder of 2016. Anthony Wamough confirms he will retire to help the Eels get back under the salary cap.
May 11, 2016
Nathan Peats becomes the highest player casualty out of the salary cap drama as he is forced out of the club to ensure the Eels comply with this season’s salary cap. Peats signs an eighteen month deal with Gold Coast Titans. Peats feeling “let down by more than just the infamous Gang of Five”.
May 12, 2016
Parramatta club cap compliant after offloading players.
May 17, 2016
Daily Telegraph reveals explosive meeting tapes show Parramatta Eels board members were aware of scheme to cheat salary cap.
May 19, 2016
Parramatta great Steve Sharp vows to clear his name in the salary cap aftermath.
May 29, 2016
Junior Paulo is released from the Eels to join Canberra Raiders effective immediately. This was after reports Paulo had breached his NRL contract by playing third grade rugby union in Sydney earlier in the month.
Reports ‘Gang of Five’ are ready to drop Supreme Court action against the NRL.
June 22, 2016
Michael Gordon signs with the Sydney Roosters for one season commencing 2017.
June 30, 2016
Tom Issa becomes the first ‘Gang of Five’ board member to resign from his post at the Eels.
July 9, 2016
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.
Eels Road to the Finals (12pts)
Panthers (A), Titans (A), Tigers (H), Sea Eagles (H), Broncos (A), Raiders (A), Dragons (H), Warriors (A)
National Rugby League notable breaches
2002 – Canterbury Bulldogs fine $500,00 and deducted 37 competition points
2005 – New Zealand Warriors fined $430,000 and deducted 4 competition points
2010 – Melbourne Storm stripped of 2007, 2009 premierships, 2010 World Club Challenge and ordered to play for zero points in 2010
2016 – Parramatta Eels fined x and deducted 12 competition points
