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Wasnt the women on the ticket an ex lib MP? Ray must be desperate
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Good to see Jake out and about ;-)
SMH.com.au said:Adrian Proszenko
Chief Rugby League Reporter
The scene: Denis Fitzgerald (third from left in white shirt) outside Parramatta Leagues Club while security staff try to talk David Zaiter off the road on Thursday.
The scene: Denis Fitzgerald (third from left in white shirt) outside Parramatta Leagues Club while security staff try to talk David Zaiter off the road on Thursday.
Police have been called to Parramatta Leagues Club after former chief executive Denis Fitzgerald allegedly ignored requests to remain within designated electoral areas.
Thursday marked the opening day of the Eels' board elections and the polls were still 17 minutes from officially opening when the dramas begin. Fitzgerald is not one of the 27 candidates standing at the polls after being advised he is ineligible to stand due to the circumstances surrounding his acrimonious departure six years ago.
However, the self-proclaimed 'Emperor' of Parramatta - the subject of an investigation by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing in relation to his tenure as chief executive officer - has made his presence felt nonetheless as voters begin heading to the ballot box. Fitzgerald is a vocal spruiker of, and advisor to, the Parramatta Professionals ticket which is seeking to overthrow the current regime headed by chairman Steve Sharp.
Face in the crowd: Denis Fitzgerald at an Eels match in May. Photo: Getty Images
Staff members issued Fitzgerald and Parramatta Professionals candidate David Zaiter with requests to move into the designated electoral areas, which were not headed, prompting them to call police.
"What it comes down to is I can't allow staff or patrons to be harassed by candidates," Parramatta Leagues Club chief executive Bevan Paul told Fairfax Media.
"I also suspect that some candidates are trying to provoke us into calling the police so they can contact the media, as some media were here very quickly after the police arrived.
"The reasons the police were contacted was because two candidates [Fitzgerald and Zaiter] failed to cooperate with directions with the club's staff as to where to position themselves.
"One of them actually put a sign up in the middle of the road, which is the main entry to the club for vehicle traffic. That's what set this all off, he refused to move for about 15 minutes, and by that time we called the police.
"I don't know why you would try to provoke the club especially given the events of yesterday, when a person was removed from the club for having a shonky membership card.
"We are really trying to run orderly elections."
After speaking with police, Parramatta Leagues Club staff decided not to pursue the matter further. However, should there be further incidents, offenders will be asked to leave the premises. Failure to do so will result in offenders being charged with 'fail to quit', issued a $550 on-the-spot fine, forced to move a distance of 50 metres from the premises and prevented from re-entering for a period of at least 24 hours.
"What we are worried about is that clubs often have a lot of elderly members and we don't want to discourage them - ideally, every eligible member will come and have their say," Paul said.
As revealed by Fairfax Media, Eels recruit Kieran Foran has a get-out clause in his four-year, multi-million contract with the club if it is beset by political instability. The Manly superstar will undoubtedly be watching the latest dramas with interest.
