Eels deny salary cap rumours

James Gordon

Parramatta are confident that they have not broken the NRL salary cap, in contrast to recent speculation.

Eels Chairman Roy Spagnolo OAM and acting Chief Executive Andrew Hill met with NRL Salary Cap Auditor Ian Schubert to discuss the claims that the Eels had gone over the cap, thought to be around $4.4m.

Hill said: “The Club has cooperated fully with the NRL in regard to this matter and has provided all documentation requested by the NRL.

“The Club has been open and transparent throughout the process and is confident that no breaches have occurred.

“We will continue to work with Ian Schubert and his team regarding this matter and we look forward to it being finalised in the near future.”

Five clubs have already been fined for salary cap breaches this season – St George Illawarra ($15,000), South Sydney ($12,500), Gold Coast ($5,500), Canterbury Bulldogs ($5,000) and Wests Tigers ($3,500).

In 2006, New Zealand Warriors were deducted four points while in 2002, Canterbury were fined a record $500,000 and deducted all of their 37 competition points.