PARRAMATTA EELS CLUB STATEMENT
The Parramatta Eels again express deep concern at the extent of relentless media speculation potentially compromising an ongoing NRL investigation.
Further to that, today's media reports regarding Semi Radradra are wrong.
The facts are:
- The alleged TPA request regarding Semi Radradra had been rejected by the club’s Head of Football Operations, Daniel Anderson, due to salary cap compliance.
- Instead, the club worked collaboratively with the NRL and Semi’s management on an alternative solution.
- The club received written approval to make an advanced payment to Semi for personal reasons via then NRL Chief Operating Officer, Jim Doyle, and Salary Cap Auditor, Jamie L’Oste Brown, on 25 July 2014.
The Eels were not offered the opportunity to comment on this information before it went to print.
It should also be noted that all correspondence printed in today’s article has already been provided voluntarily to the NRL and there has been no suggestion that these matters are part of the current investigation.
Mr Anderson looks forward to discussing these and all relevant issues as part of the NRL's investigation.
Below is a statement from Parramatta Eels Chairman, Steve Sharp:
“It is so important for the public, our Members and fans to understand that the Parramatta Eels are undergoing a massive reform process, implementing 117 recommendations for reform from independent experts PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Further to that, a campaign of smear will not be permitted to undermine this reform.
We are concerned that those attempting to smear the Eels are receiving untested and unwarranted media attention.
Our message to those attempting to smear the club is that the current Eels’ leadership team will not be deterred from reforming the club.
We again assert our rights to procedural fairness and are doing so by fully assisting the NRL.
The club will be reviewing all our legal options in relation to today’s article and continue to offer our full cooperation to the NRL regarding its current salary cap investigation.”
