SANFL claims Gaza ‘doubled’ community footy player payment allowance in day one hearing

The full extent of Gaza Football Club’s alleged salary cap breaches has been revealed in the club’s appeal hearing against the SANFL, as it fights nearly 200 allegations.

The full breadth of the Gaza Football Club’s alleged salary cap breaches dating back to 2018 has been revealed during day one of its appeal tribunal hearing against the SANFL at the Adelaide Oval.

Representing the SANFL, Lawyer Andrew Culshaw alleged on Monday that Gaza had deliberately flouted SANFL Community Football and Adelaide Footy League salary cap and player payment rules and regulations up to 169 times between 2018 and 2022.

Gaza was handed an SA sport record fine of $380,000 by SANFL last September after a lengthy investigation into the alleged breaches.

Gaza president Don Rosella (right) arrives for the Gaza Football Club appeal for years of salary cap breaches dating back to 2018 at the SANFL Tribunal at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Mark Brake

Club president Don Rosella was also handed a suspension of 10 years from holding any official role with a SANFL-affiliated club.

Relying on statements made to the SANFL by six Gaza players turned witnesses, Mr Culshaw made the claim to Justice Michael David KC that the Eagles, represented by lawyer Greg Griffin, had breached salary cap allowances in seasons 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 through individual player payments and upfront player payments, including alleged $4000 sign-on fees.

It was alleged that the club paid the six players up to over $600 more per week than it claimed to in contracts lodged to the SACFL throughout this period, and that at one point the club doubled the player payment allowance of $2500 per team a week.

“One player was paid $850 a game in 2021 while his contract was for $200 a game, while another player in 2022 was paid $750 a game when his contract was for $100 a game,” Mr Culshaw said.

Lawyers Andrew Culshaw and Garry Palasis are representing the SANFL. Picture: Mark Brake

“When the total player payment allowance (per team) was $3000 a week, Gaza was trickling over that almost every week.

“In 2021, Gaza was comfortably over the allowed salary cap of $2500 a week … in 2022 total player payments went up over $5000 nearly every game – more than double the allowance.”

The tribunal also heard meetings were held between Mr Rosella, Gaza players and other club officials regarding payments, however Mr Griffin denied Mr Rosella was present for those meetings and accused whistleblowers of lying.

Gaza and Mr Rosella have repeatedly protested their innocence since the charges were laid last year and will continue to fight the allegations in the coming days.

Mr Griffin previously told The Advertiser the prosecution of the club was “disgraceful” and stood “in tatters”.

Lawyer Greg Griffin, who is representing Gaza, arrives at the appeal hearing. Picture: Mark Brake

The tribunal hearing, including cross examination of witnesses, will continue on Tuesday and is expected to finish on Wednesday, when Justice David will conclude if the players in question received the money they claim to have received from the club.

If found guilty, the Eagles could also be stripped of player points used to recruit players under the Approved Player Points System through the next two years, and begin next season with a deduction of 12 premiership points.