Gaza club captain breaks silence on major salary cap penalties

Gaza’s captain says the club is in shock after being hit with major penalties for years of salary cap breaches and has called on members to support the club through the 2024 Adelaide Footy League season.

The Gaza Football Club’s A Grade captain has addressed major penalties handed down for years of salary cap breaches and called on members to stick with the club during the 2024 season.

2023 leading goalkicker and current captain Ben Beioley said he was shocked by the breaches and the penalties which were recommended on Tuesday, but remained confident the Eagles would field multiple senior teams this season.

Justice Michael David KC – the independent Salary Cap Commissioner – made recommendations on penalties to the SA Football Commission after finding the club guilty on 223 counts of breaches during an independent SANFL tribunal.

The breaches involved player payments, total player match payment and sign-on breaches, as well as false contracts throughout the 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 Adelaide Footy League seasons.

Current Gaza A Grade captain Ben Beioley remains confident the club will field two senior sides this season. Picture: Gaza Sports and Community Club

He recommended the club should be fined a total of $186,000 and docked six premiership and six player points for the 2024 season, while former president Don Rosella was handed a five-year ban from holding any official role with a SANFL-affiliated club.

“It has all obviously been a shock and something every club would struggle to come to terms with but we’re copping it on the chin,” Beioley said.

“The investigation hasn’t been easy for anyone, including Don, and I want to thank him for all his time and service at the club.

“It’s about moving forward for us now. We’re meeting with the footy department soon to plan for the future and as club captain I have no doubt we’ll have two teams competing this season.”

Former Gaza president Don Rosella resigned from his role last week and faces a five-year ban. Picture: Mark Brake

Beioley revealed the club had experienced challenges with recruitment throughout the pre-season but said he had been reassured by the numbers on the track.

He believed the club would get through the recommended penalties and return to playing competitive footy under new coach Mark Kamenic.

“All the uncertainty we’ve faced over the last six months has had an impact and trying to attract players has been hard but we’ve had good numbers,” Beioley said.

“Mark has been outstanding and we have a young and exciting team which will be worth watching.

“We want all our members to come down and support us this year because we’re going to be very competitive.”

Beioley in action for Gaza. He was leading goalkicker for the Eagles last season. Picture: Roger Wyman

A longtime star forward for the club, Beioley was also excited by the opportunity to captain the A Grade in 2024.

“I’ve been at the club for 10 years and I’m a very passionate and proud Gaza person,” he said.

“I don’t take having this opportunity for granted. I want to rebuild the club to be successful again and I’m really excited about what we can do this season and into the future.”

The penalties, including the structure of payment of the fine, are set to be considered and then ratified by the SA Football Commission next week.

They may also be altered by the Commission ahead of next week if it sees fit.