SANFL investigates Adelaide Footy League club Gaza over multiple salary cap breaches

An Adelaide Footy League club has been investigated by the SANFL for multiple salary cap breaches and may cop major penalties this season.

An Adelaide Footy League club could face major penalties if allegations over a number of salary cap breaches are upheld by the SANFL.

Division three club Gaza has been investigated by the SANFL for breaches of player payment regulations.

The Messenger understands the claimed breaches involve multiple players and date as far back as the 2018 season.

In April the SANFL confirmed a number of clubs were under ongoing investigation regarding salary cap breaches.

“We have a number of salary cap investigations which are ongoing and are not in position to comment,” a SANFL spokesperson said at the time.

Gaza Football Club has been investigated by SANFL over multiple serious salary cap breaches. Picture: Facebook

The investigations into Gaza come just a month after River Murray Football League club Jervois was found guilty by the SANFL of breaches of player payment regulations in 2022.

The Bluds were fined $26,500, stripped of four premiership points for this season and four points in season 2024, and have been limited to four player points under the Approved Player Points System (APPS) – used to sign players – for 2024 and 2025.

Charges for breaches of Player Payment Salary Cap were laid by SANFL after an extensive investigation conducted by SANFL’s Integrity Department.

The charges against Jervois were in relation to travel payments (including flights), which led to breaches of the match payment limit, and failing to declare full payment details.

Under the SANFL’s latest Community Football Rules and Regulations, local suburban clubs are not to exceed a total amount of $2500 in player payments each week.

Gaza Football Club has been investigated by SANFL over multiple serious salary cap breaches. Picture: Facebook

Clubs can also not exceed payment of $500 to a player per match, while coaches cannot be paid more than $20,000 a season.

Upfront or sign-on payments are not allowed.

Punishments for breaches of player payment regulations can include deduction of premiership points for clubs and suspension from multiple games for individual players.

An Adelaide Footy League spokesperson said the league was aware of the investigations.

“The Adelaide Football League is aware of a range of audit and investigations by SANFL and we welcome any outcome.”

Representatives from the Gaza Football Club are scheduled to meet with SANFL on Wednesday night.

The club is celebrating its 120th anniversary and currently sits bottom of the division three ladder after being relegated from division two last season.

SANFL and the Gaza Football Club were contacted for this story.