The NRL today announced the commencement of disciplinary actions as a result of two Integrity Unit investigations which have been conducted in recent months.
Cronulla Sharks
The Integrity Unit has found evidence that supports the preliminary finding that Sharks coach Shane Flanagan continued to have dealings with the club while he was suspended in 2014.
At the time, the Sharks were fined $1 million – with $400,000 suspended – over the administration of supplements at the club.
Mr Flanagan was suspended for 12 months with three months suspended.
One of the conditions imposed by the NRL was that "the club must not allow Mr Flanagan to be concerned directly or indirectly with the club" while suspended.
As part of the current investigation into the Sharks salary cap, documents have been uncovered that support the preliminary finding that Mr Flanagan had dealings with the club in relation to recruitment and retention of players.
As a result, the NRL has issued the club with a breach notice proposing a fine of $400,000 – the same amount which was originally suspended.
It has proposed an additional fine of $400,000 for the breach.
In addition, Mr Flanagan has been issued with a notice of intention to cancel his registration.
While the findings are preliminary and no final determination will be made until the response he provides has been properly considered, he will not be permitted to coach or act in any official capacity at the club pending a final determination.
Mr Flanagan and the club will be given until the end of January to respond.
Wests Tigers
The Wests Tigers have been issued with a breach notice relating to an undisclosed agreement to pay Robbie Farah as an Ambassador when he finishes his career.
The agreement was made in 2016 before Farah left the Tigers to join South Sydney.
The NRL believes the payment should have been disclosed and included in the salary cap.
The breach notice proposes a fine of $750,000 and that an amount of $639,000 – the value of the Ambassador's agreement - be added to the club's salary cap in 2019.
Further, the NRL has issued a notice of intention to cancel the registration of the club's CEO Justin Pascoe.
Like Mr Flanagan although the findings are preliminary, he will not be permitted to act in an official capacity with the club pending a final determination.
There is no suggestion that Farah has done anything wrong but the NRL believes the club should have disclosed the agreement.
The club and Mr Pascoe will have until the end of January to respond to the preliminary findings that have been made against them.
