The National Rugby League has today stripped the Melbourne Storm of the 2007 and 2009 Telstra Premierships, the Minor Premierships of 2006-8 and of its 2010 competition points after confirming a series of salary cap breaches amounting to at least $1.7million over five years.
Thet won't be accumlating any points aswell, I wonder how many players will want to stick around this season, winning a game and not moving from the foot of the table?
Wow. That's huge. The RL in the UK would probably just cover that up and slap the club on the wrists in private. I didn't think this sort of dishonesty was possible in modern professional sport, it seems a bit pointless to me. Whats the point and where is the glory in winning by cheating?
I feel sorry for a lot of parties involved, but just think how bad the players must feel.
Embarrassed that they have been part of a club that did this to such an extent. As well as the fact that the players have still played their hearts out for the last few years to get these trophies etc, and now they all count for nothing.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a few of their big name players leaving through total lack of confidence in the club.
The prize fund includes £50,000 Melbourne collected for beating Leeds 18-10 in the Gillette World Club Challenge at Elland Road in February and that money could now go to the Super League club.
Sutty wrote:I feel sorry for a lot of parties involved, but just think how bad the players must feel.
Embarrassed that they have been part of a club that did this to such an extent. As well as the fact that the players have still played their hearts out for the last few years to get these trophies etc, and now they all count for nothing.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a few of their big name players leaving through total lack of confidence in the club.
I imagine the players were well aware they were breaking the salary cap. They were the ones who were receiving the "dual-contract" payments under the table after all.
