Shane Flanagan, Damian Keogh and Lyall Gorman must answer to NRL integrity unit
CRONULLA coach Shane Flanagan, former CEO Lyall Gorman and ex-chairman Damian Keogh will be hauled before the NRL integrity unit to explain their role in any alleged salary cap breaches.
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CRONULLA coach Shane Flanagan and former club officials Lyall Gorman and Damian Keogh will be called to the NRL integrity unit to answer questions about their roles at the Sharks when alleged salary cap breaches took place.
PROBE: Cap breaches not related to current players
OPINION: Why does this only happen in the NRL?
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg reassured fans the Sharks were salary cap compliant for 2018, allaying fears the integrity of the competition could be threatened heading into next month’s finals series.
But the salary cap investigation is far from complete, with Flanagan, former chief executive Lyall Gorman and ex-chairman Damian Keogh to be interviewed.
It is particularly bad timing for Flanagan, who is trying to push aside the drama to prepare his side for a looming finals assault.
There were suggestions Cronulla could face a fine of up to $100,000 for the drama as Greenberg fronted a media conference and revealed:
* Flanagan, Gorman and Keogh — in charge when the alleged breaches began in 2015 — will be asked to give evidence to the integrity unit;
* The ARL Commission has asked him to implement harsher fines for salary cap cheats;
* Cronulla were more than $500,000 under the salary cap for this season;
* Every NRL side has been declared cap compliant for 2018;
* Cronulla self-reported the cap issues to the NRL over undisclosed third-party payments; and
* The NRL will review third-party payments after this season and “how they are being shaped.”
Flanagan remains head coach, while Gorman is now Manly’s CEO and Keogh resigned after being given an 18-month good behaviour last year for possessing a prohibited drug.
“As we delve into the details, there will be a number of people we will need to come forward and speak of their experiences inside the club,” Greenberg said. “That will include current and former staff and executives I would consider.”
Pressed on Gorman, Greenberg said: “Given he was the CEO for a period of time, there will be some clarification required, yes.”
Asked about Flanagan, Greenberg said: “Yes.”
And Keogh?: “Yes.”
“The NRL integrity unit is midway through this investigation and there are literally tens of thousands of documents and emails. They need to work through that methodically,” he said.
“What they will then do is to decide to speak to individuals and do some investigation around people. That hasn’t happened yet but ultimately I think it will.
“And if it does, those people will come forward and speak truthfully, honestly and allow us to complete this investigation.
“When you’re accredited, you must follow and comply with certain regulations. Whether you’re at one club or another, it will become irrelevant to us, it will be about your accreditation in the game.”
There is no suggestion Cronulla will lose competition points or have their maiden 2016 premiership stripped.
“They are significantly below the salary cap for 2018, as we stand here today,” Greenberg said. “I am talking more than half a million dollars underneath their salary cap.
“A reminder that clubs only have to spend, as part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, 95 per cent of their salary cap.
“Some of those clubs are yet to spend that, Cronulla is one of them.”
Greenberg has been ordered to beef-up punishment for cap cheats.
“As the cap has gone up, and grants to clubs have gone up, the imposition of fines hasn’t kept pace,” Greenberg said.
“And that is something the commission has asked me to look at after this year — do we need to have additional financial penalties over and above what has historically happened.
“Naturally if we uncover any evidence of salary cap cheating (at Cronulla) we will deal with it and deal with it appropriately. And there will be consequences for anyone who is involved.
“Again, it is a reminder to every person at every club — if you cheat he cap, ultimately you will be caught.
“What I can tell you, on the matters before me, as they currently sit, this is not on the scale of previous salary cap investigations at clubs like Manly, Parramatta or further back at the Storm. This isn’t a scale like we’ve seen before.”
Gorman was Cronulla’s boss during 2015, where the alleged issues occurred, before shifting to Manly late last year.
This is just another headache for the Sea Eagles.
In a text exchange with The Daily Telegraph, Gorman said: “I have no context of the matter other than what was in the media last night and the club (Cronulla) and NRL statements.
“Until I learn more about the details of the investigation I cannot make any further comment.”
Gorman sent an email to Manly staff saying he would be locked in meetings over Manly’s Centre of Excellence proposal.
Keogh refused to comment when contacted, while Flanagan is expected to attend his usual pre-game press conference on Saturday.
Greenberg would not place a time frame for the investigation to be completed.
Originally published as Shane Flanagan, Damian Keogh and Lyall Gorman must answer to NRL integrity unit
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