The NRL is as incompetent as the Parra board in this whole mess.
Firstly, we were investigated for Salary Cap breaches last year. We were to start this season on equal points as Mr Weeks was happy for us to now move forward. The mere fact that they missed what they've since uncovered raises questions about their initial investigation with us , and also their methods of monitoring the salary cap at all other clubs. Every substantially penalised breach in NRL history is uncovered by either new management self reporting, or the media. It is simply incomprehensible that a billion dollar business allows a team to get to week 9 of their competition not complying to the rules.
This 'smoking gun ' story came out prior to round 2. At that stage It was sheer stupidity that the NRL had investigated us for the prior 8 months and we were still looking at a 4 point deduction. As the weeks went on we seemed to lose 2 more points via media reports per week. It had gone from 4 to 6 to 8 to 10 to where it finally stopped at 12. Conveniently, right after a blockbuster v the Bulldogs and during rep bye round where we can 'digest the penalty'. I would argue the NRL not only did it for the above timing reasons but also when we'd accrued enough points to have a sufficient penalty. This has bastardised the whole 2016 comp as teams like the Bulldogs and Cowboys have played a non compliment team twice while others have yet to play us. If the media knew our breaches were significant enough to lose points the punishment should've been handed down ASAP. All this thorough investigation , 10 billion documents blah blah is just that. A way to hide the incompetence of the initial investigation, deter other teams from rorting the cap and give time for Parra to accrue enough points so on make the punishment significant.
Meanwhile us members have turned up every week coughing up our hard earned and BA and the boys have busted their asses for nothing. The fact the media were getting inside mail on the significance of our penalty and Brad Arthur had no idea until today is disgusting.
As much as the Eels board must accept total responsibility and their punishment, The NRL has let down a number of stakeholders in the game and should be undergoing their own governance review. This wouldn't happen in any other league in the world. The damage the game has had the last 9 weeks with a 'cheating' team being back page news every week is disgusting. The damage to the fan is disgusting. The damage to the 2016 Eels and coaching staff is sickening and it is Todd Greenberg and co's job to protect the NRL game and do what's in it's best interests.
This has been handled disgracefully. All while the Western Sydney Wanderers and GWS are flying. Sheer incompetence not only at club board level, but also right at the top. How much sh!t would hit the fan is 15 other clubs were audited no one knows. As I said, wouldn't happen in any other 'pro' league in the world. Do your own governance review you pr!cks,
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Finally! Hallelujah.
Spot on.
It has been an appalling process. The hypocrisy is astonishing. They look at 700 000 Parra documents after declaring cap compliance at the beginning of the season. Yet that "have no information" to suggest they need to look at other clubs. I would think that 700 000 documents from all star teams like Broncos, Cowboys and Roosters might give information of interest.
Its also astonishing that the penalty can be decided by just the head of the NRL and not a panel. Leaves him open to obvious accusations of conflicts of interest and bias.
It should also have been stressed it is a breach notice and the penalties will only be imposed after the Parra admin has had its right of reply..