Parramatta chairman Max Donnelly has hit out at fresh claims the club is again cheating the NRL salary cap by providing free or discounted rental properties to its players.
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Two years after the Eels were stripped of 12 competition points and fined $1 million for rorting the salary cap, the club is again mired in allegations of financial misconduct.
NSW Gaming and Racing minister Paul Toole confirmed an investigation has begun after a former Eels staffer contacted the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA).
"The allegations are serious and will be comprehensively investigated, including liaison with relevant law enforcement and sports integrity bodies," Toole told News Corp.
In a letter to Eels members on Tuesday, Donnelly said the club moved quickly to meet with the NRL Integrity Unit and salary cap auditors to clear their name.
He categorically denied the allegations, saying the NRL, ILGA, Australian Tax Office and accounting firm Ernst and Young had ticked off on the club's salary cap between 2017-18.
"The 2017 salary cap was audited by the NRL salary cap auditors and was proven to be compliant," Donnelly wrote.
"And in 2018 Parramatta was subject to a recent mid-year audit by the NRL salary cap auditors and was proven to be compliant."
An NRL spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday the governing body was not in possession of any material suggesting a salary cap breach and their audits did not reveal any discrepancies.
However, any information provided by the ILGA would be assessed by the integrity unit.
The media report claimed the whistleblower alleged cases where players were charged rent below market value, while electricity bills were also partly paid for by the Eels leagues club.
The report named former and current Eels players Manu Ma'u, David Gower, Semi Radradra, Joseph Paulo and Kenny Edwards to have allegedly lived in leagues-club owned properties.
It is believed all accommodation provided by the club to players must be declared at market value under NRL salary cap regulations.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by the players, and Donnelly promised any living arrangements concerning players have been ratified by the governing body.
"The NRL has consistently reviewed the amount designated to be included in these player payment reconciliations and the NRL salary cap auditors have consistently advised over the last two years that they are comfortable with the amounts provided for any player's use of any Parra Leagues-owned apartment occupied by a Parramatta Eels player," Donnelly said.
Donnelly claimed the whistleblower had no involvement in the club's cap management.
"I am disappointed claims from a disgruntled former employee of Parra Leagues has been aired without due process or the opportunity for the club to provide its position," he said.
Australian Associated Press
