Manly Sea Eagles given more time to respond to potential salary cap breaches
THE salary cap scandal which has rocked Manly could drag into the 2018 season after the NRL granted the Sea Eagles an extension to respond to the allegations.
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THE salary cap scandal which has rocked Manly could drag into the 2018 season after the NRL granted the Sea Eagles an extension to respond to the allegations.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that the Sea Eagles have been given until January 31 next year by the NRL to respond to potential breaches of the salary cap.
It will leave the NRL just five weeks to resolve one of the biggest issues of 2017 and ensure the new season is launched without the stain of the scandal.
The speed of which Manly respond to the allegations, which is focused on the improper use of third-party deals, could also impact their ability to sign new players ahead of next season.
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As reported, proposed sanctions include a fine between six figures and $1 million and a reduced salary cap for 2018.
However, any attempt by Manly to recruit any player — be it on a minimal or top-tier contract — during the investigation phase is likely to be heavily scrutinised by the NRL.
The Sea Eagles are known to be eager to find a solution in their key five-eighth position, after Blake Green was released to sign with New Zealand last month.
Both Newcastle half Trent Hodkinson and journeyman Todd Carney have been linked to the club.
Documentation of the investigation is understood to be almost 1,000 pages.
The Sea Eagles made it clear from the moment the allegations were laid that they intend to fight the breach notice — which they originally had five-days to respond to.
It was determined that the club now has until the end of January to submit their response.
“We’ll review the documents and develop a detailed response,’’ Manly CEO Lyall Gorman said, before the club’s fans and members Christmas party, on Saturday.
“There’s a significant amount of paperwork our team need to go through. “This will be just a process for us to work through and see what it all means.’’
Manly were hit by the bombshell last Monday after an NRL investigation revealed the northern beaches club had breached the salary cap over the past five years.
Sea Eagles chief operating officer Neil Bare faces the prospect of being barred from the game over his alleged role in Manly’s salary cap infringements.
Sydney Roosters chief executive Joe Kelly, the former Manly CEO, has also been revealed as another NRL club official facing deregistration.
Kelly and Bare worked together at Brookvale when the alleged third-party breaches occurred.