Bulldogs deserve Mad Monday apology, says sponsor Gary Johnston

BULLDOGS sponsor Gary Johnston says there is no evidence a Channel 9 reporter was abused and the club would be seeking an apology from the station.

MAD Monday just got madder. Possibly even insane.

In an extraordinary twist to the rugby league saga, it has been reported the Canterbury Bulldogs are now seeking an apology from Channel Nine.

A newspaper report this morning said Jaycar Electronics boss and sponsor Gary Johnston has claimed there was no evidence one of the Bullodgs players abused a female Channel Nine reporter during Mad Monday post-grand final celebrations at Belmore Oval last week.

GALLERY: Canterbury's Mad Monday gets out of control

In a letter, Johnston wrote: "Canterbury are approaching Channel 9 to seek an apology for the way that Channel 9 has 'conveniently' interpreted this matter. I for one will be surprised if the Dogs get a reply'."

Yesterday, club chairman Ray Dib, coach Des Hasler and chief executive Todd Greenberg went to Rugby League Central to discuss the matter.

The Bulldogs submitted additional information to the NRL about the  drama - but there was still no indication whether the club would be punished.

Dib, Hasler and Greenberg met with NRL management yesterday to discuss who made the well-publicised sexist comments to a Channel 9 reporter.

There were suggestions the new information yesterday surrounded CCTV from inside Belmore Sports Ground on the day but interim NRL CEO Shane Mattiske refused to confirm or deny this.

The Bulldogs and NRL have attracted widespread criticism over the time it has taken to finalise the investigation into the incident which occurred nine days ago and damaged rugby league's image.

"We are reviewing the new information," Mattiske said.

The NRL was yesterday "progressing" with the process, with a spokesman saying "it is too early to speculate" on any action.

"There are still a couple of inquiries to make," he said.

He would not reveal what the Dogs submitted yesterday.

 Mattiske returned to work yesterday from a brief holiday but fans still do not know who was responsible for the comments to the reporter.

Club officials also swore at the media, there to cover the annual event.

The comments screamed to the reporter came through a window at the club's Belmore Sports Ground headquarters.

The Bulldogs handed the NRL a report last Wednesday but then inspected additional CCTV footage from inside Belmore.

Canterbury officials will not say whether they have identified the person responsible for making the comments. Dib claimed other people were inside their offices at the time.

The NRL expects to conclude the matter this week.