Parramatta Eels salary cap: Axed gang of five set to fight on

PARRAMATTA’s pain may not be over with the club’s gang of five members seriously considering appealing their deregistration.

PARRAMATTA are 12 competition points and $1 million lighter but their pain may not be over with the Eels’ gang of five members seriously considering appealing their deregistration.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg handed down the punishments in what was another dramatic day in a season of off-field despair for the Eels.

The game’s boss was firm, and frustrated with the Eels’ management for their continued defiance and ongoing inability to accept blame for their salary cap cheating.

While the NRL had floated suspending $250,000 of the fine, the Eels will now be forced to pay the $1 million because they had shown “no willingness to work with the NRL”.

The saga could continue with some of the deregistered officials strongly considering appealing the NRL’s decision. The NRL’s appeals committee is headed by Ian Callinan QC, dual-international and former politician Michael Cleary and ex-Kangaroos captain Max Krilich.

Greenberg had again offered to travel to Parramatta to inform the playing group of his decision — like he had done during the provisional sanctions — but Eels officials felt there was no need.

Head of NRL Integrity Unit Nick Weeks and CEO Todd Greenberg.

Their inspirational comeback win against the Roosters on Friday night was sadly overshadowed by Saturday’s announcement. Greenberg fronted up at the game’s Moore Park headquarters and delivered a warning to the Eels officials.

“When we announced the preliminary findings of our investigation into the Parramatta club some two months ago, I said then it was a heartbreaking day for the Parramatta club, its players and also its fans,” Greenberg said.

“Today is very different. Today represents what I think is a very big moment in time for the Eels. This is the day when those involved with this club have to make one of the most important decisions in this club’s 69-year history.

“They can continue fighting with the game to the detriment of their coach, their players, and their fans. Or they can take the lessons learned from this investigation and turn the Parramatta Eels into the powerhouse club that they should be.”

Greenberg and the NRL’s head of integrity unit Nick Weeks first picked up the phone at 9am on Saturday and started calling the dumped officials individually. Chairman Steve Sharp, deputy chairman Tom Issa, director Peter Serrao, CEO John Boulous and football boss Daniel Anderson were called before the announcement was made public.

The conversations were met with a range of responses. Some were resigned to the decision while others spoke out in defiance and surprise that their registrations had been banned.

Greenberg kept the door ajar of a rugby league return for the individuals, explaining that the ban did not have to be forever should they undergo training and education courses.

Calls to Brad Arthur and Tim Mannah were also made during the one hour long phone conversations.

Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur.

The Eels’ four remaining board members — Geoff Gerard, Tanya Gadiel, Paul Garrard and Andrew Cordwell — did not escape Greenberg’s ire.

“We’ve made it clear from the start that the other members on this board who were not issued with breach notice should not be taken as a sign of an endorsement that they’re having a strong performance,” Greenberg said.

“The actions of remaining board members in this interim period remain disappointing. Rather than trying to get the club back on track, they’ve continued to engage with us in infighting and factionalism. That has to stop.”

The Eels’ off-field woes continue when Corey Norman fronts court on illegal drug charges on Wednesday.