Robbie Farah claims Wests Tigers CEO Grant Mayer backtracked on agreement to back the players

WESTS Tigers skipper Robbie Farah has accused club CEO Grant Mayer of failing to support him through the drama that threatens the club’s season.

Robbie Farah at Wests Tigers training session at Concord Oval, Sydney. Picture: CRAIG WILSON

WESTS Tigers skipper Robbie Farah has accused chief executive Grant Mayer of failing to support him through the drama that is threatening the club’s season.

Speaking in a pre-recorded interview that will air on Channel 9’s The Footy Show, Farah said he asked Mayer for backing amid rumours coach Mick Potter had lost the support of the players.

Farah’s claims come despite Mayer issuing a media release last Monday week which heavily backed Potter, the players and, in particular, the captain.

In the interview, conducted by Phil Gould on Tuesday afternoon, Farah also opened up about his public spat with former Test and Queensland star Gorden Tallis.

“On the Friday night I asked Grant (Mayer) to come out and support the players,” Farah said.

“I asked him to come out and say something and support us and leave us out of it. And that didn’t happen.

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“On the Saturday morning, Mick (Potter, coach) called the leadership group in. He was concerned with what was going on as well, as he had every right to be.

“He asked us if he had our support and we all assured him that that was the case, that he had our full support.”

Farah’s future at the club is up in the air after falling out with CEO Grant Mayer.

Tired of the drama and wanting to refocus on footy, Mayer reluctantly said on Wednesday night: “The board supported the players on the Sunday night and then I came out personally as CEO on the Monday and supported Robbie.

“In hindsight, we should have put it to bed on the Saturday.”

Wests Tigers have been in turmoil since a Sunday Telegraph story on July 27 revealed a secret board meeting to sack Potter.

Farah is furious he has been accused of back-stabbing Potter.

After the initial story broke, Tallis revealed on Triple M that Farah told him last year that Potter couldn’t coach.

“I was really disappointed,” Farah said. “I have known Geordie for a while, considered him a mate.

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“I messaged him straight away and let him know I was disappointed.

“After that (a number of other texts were exchanged) I texted him again and said: ‘Listen mate, what I’m disappointed in the most is that you could have come to me and asked me about this before you’ve gone to air, you know. I have said my piece, feel free to call me if there are any other issues’. I didn’t hear back from him after that.”

Grant Mayer handling of Mick Potter’s role has attracted severe criticism.

After the game on Monday night, Farah avoided the waiting media by running across the field, through a cut-out at the northern end of Campbelltown Stadium and into a waiting car.

There is a theory at Wests Tigers that the Farah-Mayer drama could lead to one of them being forced out of the club.

Mayer, at this point, has the support of his 10-member board. He wants the rift healed so that Wests Tigers can make a push for the finals.

Originally published as Robbie Farah claims Wests Tigers CEO Grant Mayer backtracked on agreement to back the players