SA Football Commission ratifies major penalties for Gaza salary cap breaches

The SA Football Commission has ratified major penalties for the Gaza Football Club after it was found guilty on 223 counts of salary cap breaches over a four-year span.

The SA Football Commission has ratified major penalties handed down to the Gaza Football Club for 223 counts of salary cap breaches from 2018 to 2022.

The Adelaide Footy League club was found guilty by an independent SANFL tribunal earlier this month on 223 counts of breaches involving player payments, total player match payment and sign-on breaches, as well as false contracts throughout the 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Former president Don Rosella was also found guilty of involvement in the breaches.

Independent Salary Cap Commissioner, Michael David KC handed down recommended penalties for the club last week which included a $186,000 fine and deduction of six premiership and player points for the club, as well as a five-year suspension from holding an official role with any SANFL-affiliated club for Rosella.

Gaza has copped a $186,000 fine and deduction of premiership and player points. Picture: Gaza Sports and Community Club

The SA Football Commission has now ratified these penalties, with the structure of the fine yet to be announced.

SANFL executive general manager of football, Matt Duldig said the penalties should put other community clubs on notice.

“The penalties recommended by the Salary Cap Commissioner should serve as a reminder to all community football clubs that breaches of the salary cap regulations are taken extremely seriously,” he said.

“The Community Football Salary Cap regulations have been in place since 2015 and there is no excuse for any club breaching these rules.

“The SANFL originally issued the maximum penalties for breaches of salary cap regulations, but offered substantial concessions had the club been prepared to make an early guilty plea and work with us.”

Former Gaza president Don Rosella has been suspended for five years. Picture: Mark Brake

Duldig also said the SANFL would work with Gaza to ensure it could survive into the future.

“Ultimately, we have player payment regulations in place to ensure the sustainability of community football clubs, as well as to provide equalisation measures across the state.

“It is important we continue to support the vast majority of clubs that adhere to the regulations.

“We now hope we can work with club officials to implement new processes within the club and ensure it gets back on track to becoming a sustainable football club in the future.”

Current Gaza captain Ben Beioley said he was shocked by the breaches and penalties but remained confident the Eagles would compete at the senior level in 2024.

“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,” he said.

“It’s about moving forward for us now … and as club captain I have no doubt we’ll have two teams competing this season.”