This from our reporter Russell Gould.
"MELBOURNE Storm has been rocked today after the NRL stripped the club of its 2007 and 2009 premierships, docked the club 40 premiership points and doled out a $500,000 for what it called systematic breaching of the league’s salary cap.
The unprecedented penalty was handed down by NRL CEO David Gallop in Sydney today after a lengthy investigation by NRL auditor Ian Schubert in to several player deals.
Its believed they do not relate directly to player payments but other deals including third party arrangements, tax payments to managers on behalf of players and other contributions to player activties.
Coach Craig Bellamy, who was in the dark about the deals, was left devastated by the news when told yesterday and the players were equally upset.
The news could have serious implications for the future of the powerhouse which could lose sponsors, is struggling to find new owners, and is literally playing for nothing this season."
"MELBOURNE Storm has been rocked today after the NRL stripped the club of its 2007 and 2009 premierships, docked the club 40 premiership points and doled out a $500,000 for what it called systematic breaching of the league’s salary cap.
The unprecedented penalty was handed down by NRL CEO David Gallop in Sydney today after a lengthy investigation by NRL auditor Ian Schubert in to several player deals.
Its believed they do not relate directly to player payments but other deals including third party arrangements, tax payments to managers on behalf of players and other contributions to player activties.
Coach Craig Bellamy, who was in the dark about the deals, was left devastated by the news when told yesterday and the players were equally upset.
The news could have serious implications for the future of the powerhouse which could lose sponsors, is struggling to find new owners, and is literally playing for nothing this season."
:shock: I don't know what to say.
