WESTS Tigers are sensationally poised to part company with club legend Robbie Farah.
On Tuesday night, the Tigers confirmed Farah had been granted permission to look elsewhere following the 2015 season.
“The decision was not made lightly but ultimately allows the Club a chance to restructure the football team to allow for future success”, the club said in a statement.
“The Club intends on treating Farah with the upmost respect during this process and will make no further comment until his playing future is decided”.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the amazing split could be announced as early as this week
In a bombshell turn, Wests Tigers directors discussed the shock development at a high-powered board meeting on Tuesday night.
Robbie Farah has been granted permission to leave the Tigers. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
The club continues to struggle with intense and ongoing salary cap issues.
It is highly unlikely that Farah will be at Concord for the start of next season.
Wests Tigers officials were on Tuesday night trying formulate a soft way for the decision to be explained to club fans and members.
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Farah, 31, still has two years to run on his current contract where he is due to earn $1 million a season in a heavily back-ended deal.
The club knows that some big-money stars must be moved on if they hope to sign some new players in the next year.
The Tigers know the decision will cause angst among their fans, given what Farah has achieved at the club.
It is a sensitive issue but the club is all-too aware they need to cull some senior players on big money.
Several English Super League clubs are known to be interested in Farah.
No doubt though NRL clubs will also show robust interest in the champion hooker.
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Farah may baulk at England given his desire to represent NSW in State of Origin.
NRL clubs have known for several weeks now that Farah could become a free agent for 2016.
Farah is a club legend who was part of the club’s famous 2005 grand final-winning side.
One well-placed source said: “These decisions are always difficult when it comes to players like Robbie, who have given so much to the club.”
Friends have claimed Farah has feared being pushed out of the club for the past few months.
And he may not be the only casualty of the club’s tight salary cap.
Other senior players at Concord on big money, including former Test player Chris Lawrence, will also come under scrutiny.
Farah certainly polarises people.
Creative and tough, Farah is one of the greatest players in Wests Tigers’ history.
He has though endured some drama.
Farah was though accused of playing a role in the sacking of Wests Tigers’ past two coaches, Tim Sheens and Mick Potter. Farah strenuously denied this.
Robbie Farah has been told he can look elsewhere after season 2015. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia
And Farah was also said to have been at loggerheads with former club champion Benji Marshall. Again, this was denied.
Farah will captain Wests Tigers in Sunday’s match against New Zealand Warriors at Campbelltown Stadium.
Club veterans Keith Galloway and Pat Richards will also move on after this season.
Galloway will play in England, Richards has linked up with the Catalans Dragons.
Farah is due to speak with the media on Wednesday morning.
Originally published as Tigers looking to dump skipper Farah
Replies
I also herd cattle.
Thats a fair assumption. however they have also re-signed a host of stars in recent months.
If i think back at that huge pricetag, the eels could be blamed when we tried poaching him some years back under Pricky Stuart days. And what did the Tigers do, backend the hell out of it and look at them now!
have just been told he'll be back training in 8 weeks
IMO he is majorly overrated and I hope that we don't pursue him.
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