Parramatta Eels directors split as board faces axe from NSW Government

The turmoil continues at Parramatta, with the embattled NRL club’s board bitterly divided over deputy premier Troy Grant’s plans to move today to sack them and appoint an administrator to take over.

Parramatta Eels chairman boss Steve Sharp photographed at Parramatta Stadium.

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THE turmoil continues at Parramatta, with the embattled NRL club’s board bitterly divided over Deputy Premier Troy Grant’s plans to move today to sack them and appoint an administrator.

In the latest twist in the wake of salary cap breach allegations, some Parramatta directors are still looking to retain their roles until an appeal against NRL sanctions against the club is heard

Mr Grant told 2GB’s Ray Hadley he had “no fear or favour” in deciding whether to recommend the board’s sacking.

Parramatta Mayor Paul Garrard and Tanya Gadiel, both Eels directors, are believed to be vehemently opposed to Troy Grant’s plans to sack the board.

Two members of the club’s “Gang of Five”, Parramatta Leagues Club chairman Steve Sharp and director Peter Serrao, along with another director, Geoff Gerard, support Mr Grant’s plans.

But The Daily Telegraph understands that of the four remaining board members — deputy chairman Tom Issa, Tanya Gadiel, Paul Garrard and Andrew Cordwell — at least two are vehemently opposed to the board’s sacking.

A letter is understood to have been sent on Saturday to Premier Mike Baird, strongly protesting the move on the basis of a lack of “due process”.

One dissenting director, who did not wish to be named, said yesterday Mr Grant’s immediate move could halt the club’s plans to appeal the NRL’s sanctions against the Eels, which include 12 competition points and a $1 million fine.

Deputy Premier Troy Grant plans to move to sack the Eels board. Picture: Adam Yip

“If the government appoints an administrator, it will undermine the club’s ability to go through the NRL’s appeals process,” the director said.

“All we are seeking is to invoke the NRL’s own procedure for an independent review of Mr Greenberg’s decision which could potentially mitigate the financial and points penalties against the club.”

But Mr Serrao said it was “time to draw a line in the sand and start fresh”.

Eels directors Geoff Gerard and Paul Garard leave after NRL CEO Todd Greenberg addressed the Eels players on the day of the announcement about the club’s salary cap breaches. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Any move to sack the board of the leagues club could have huge ramifications for its offshoot, the rugby league club. A move to ditch the leagues club board may trigger club rules that do not allow directors to serve on the Eels board if they are not on the parent board.

The club’s planned appeal against the NRL sanctions is due to be lodged at 5pm today. But the appointment of an administrator today could leave the appeal up in the air.

Eels director Peter Sarrao.

Deputy Chairman Tom Issa.

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