Brisbane Broncos could be docked points if the club if found to have breached salary cap ruled
FOX SPORTS
August 07, 2014 8:50PM
THE Brisbane Broncos could start season 2015 on negative points if the club is found to have breached salary cap guidelines, according to Fox Sports commentator Ben Ikin.
The NRL is currently investigating claims the Broncos have cheated the salary cap by as much as $450,000 over the past three years, through third-party deals including a $400,000 loan from the Leagues club.
A number of high-profile Broncos players have been interviewed in recent weeks as part of the probe, and while there is on suggestion any players or their agents have done anything wrong, investigators have been unable to talk to former football operations manager Andrew Gee, who is no longer employed by the club.
Talking on Sterlo, Ikin suggested the NRL will make an example of the club should it be found guilty of breaching the guidelines by docking competition points, as a warning to other NRL clubs looking to circumvent the salary cap.
“One thing I know is that Dave Smith and the NRL have a big appetite to uncover the whole truth.
“And once they do, if there has been any wrongdoing or breaches, they will come down very hard because they believe that, in this instance, if they can take a strong stance it will send a very loud and clear message to the rest of the competition that salary cap rorting is unacceptable.”
Ikin added that incoming Broncos coach Wayne Bennett is more than likely across the current situation at the club and will be prepared for all potential outcomes.
“I would suggest Wayne has already been briefed by the Broncos, so too the NRL, and would be building some contingency plans that would cover anything from the loss of star players right through to the starting of the 2015 season on negative competition points.
“And that is the tip going forward that if clubs are found to have breached salary cap guidelines then the loss of competition points will become the common penalty.”
