THE Broncos are under investigation over $500,000 in possible salary-cap irregularities following the resignation of club legend Andrew Gee as football operations chief.
Queensland goes into Wednesday night’s Origin opener with the state’s flagship club in crisis with Gee’s controversial departure the prelude to an NRL salary cap probe.
News Corporation can reveal Broncos hierarchy have alerted NRL bosses to a number of serious cap-related issues involving Brisbane’s recent recruitment activities.
The NRL was notified of the potential problem last week and confirmed on Tuesday evening it will begin an immediate investigation into the Broncos’ handling of the salary-cap.
“The Brisbane Broncos have advised the NRL of some possible salary-cap irregularities and asked us to look at them which we will do,” an NRL spokesman said.
Gee, a Broncos premiership player, has been on leave for the past fortnight since rumours emerged of potential irregularities in the Broncos’ salary cap.
The club confirmed on Tuesday that the 25-year Broncos veteran had resigned after News Corp first revealed last week Gee was set to sever ties with the club.
The NRL probe will involve the contracts of some of the biggest-name players in the NRL.
Recent dealings involving superstar recruit Ben Barba will be put under the microscope, although there is no suggestion the former Dally M winner is involved in any rorts.
News Corp understands the NRL probe will specifically examine third-party agreements and the fact at least one-big name player is out of pocket for a six-figure sum.
The player in question is allegedly owed money by the Broncos in relation to third-party sponsorships, but there is no suggestion Gee is guilty of orchestrating a salary-cap breach.
Gee took leave from the Broncos to consider his future. On Tuesday, he officially advised the Broncos he would be leaving the club where he first shot to prominence under then coach Wayne Bennett.
The shock move comes after the Broncos opted to restructure some of Gee’s many roles in the football department, with the hiring of Peter Nolan as list and recruitment manager last month.
Gee had hired Nolan, who was sacked by the club at the end of 2010, to separate the recruitment and list management from the day-to-day duties of the football manager.
Scott Czislowski, who has been the Broncos under-20s team manager since 2008, also fills the NRL welfare manager’s role at the club. He will immediately move into the team manager responsibility with the Broncos’ NRL squad.
Broncos boss Paul White did not return calls but the club confirmed Gee’s departure with a statement.
“The Broncos acknowledge the significant contribution Andrew Gee has made in his current role and in his former roles as both as a player and an administrator over a 25-year period,” the statement said.
“The club wishes both him and his family all the best for the future.”
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