NSW government set to sack Parramatta Eels board
David Riccio, The Daily Telegraph
July 16, 2016 4:20pm
NSW deputy premier Troy Grant says he will take the extraordinary action of removing the entire Parramatta Leagues club board — as soon as Monday.
In a major development, which will be supported by NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg, Grant declared that he has the legislative power to oust the current leagues club board.
Grant said he would appoint a temporary administrator after the NRL club’s plans to appeal some of the penalties for salary cap breaches. He will use legislative powers under the liquor and gaming act. The Parramatta Leagues club is under investigation by Liquor & Gaming NSW and the government believes it has enough evidence to remove the board.
“Overall there’s now a question that has come forward about whether the board is being effective in the interests of the members of the leagues club,’’ Grant told radio 2GB’s Ray Hadley.
“Under section 41a, the minister responsible, being myself, can seek advice from the independent liquor and gaming authority board to ascertain whether they are still fit to govern.
“And if not, I have the authority under the act to appoint a temporary administrator until it can gets sorted out.’
“I hope to have that answered as soon as Monday.’
On social media Greenberg tweeted that he supported government action to resolve the crisis at Parramatta.
“Lots of questions & concerns re Eels ... We strongly support any government move to make the Parramatta Eels strong. Players & fans deserve it!”
He then tweeted: “A strong front office will help restore the Parramatta Eels to the great club it could be & should be!”
The Eels on Friday announced plans to fight some of the sanctions, including a $1 million fine and loss of 12 competition points.
Chairman Steve Sharp, deputy chairman Tom Issa, director Peter Serrao and executives Daniel Anderson and John Boulous, the so-called ‘Gang of Five’ were also deregistered as part of the sanctions.
Speaking on 2GB, Grant called into question the actions of the board following the release of the NRL’s report into its salary cap breaches and subsequent penalties.
“You’ve got to put service above self in anything that you do in public administration, or administration of a body that’s on behalf of others.
I’m not sure that’s being done,” he said.
“As the Minister, I don’t have any fear or favour in acting in the best interests of the Parramatta Eels Leagues Club members, and ultimately, the NRL footy club”.
With Mr Sharp, Mr Issa and Mr Serraro already banned, the government was now seeking a fresh start in removing the remaining directors.
It came as the club struck down three bids by separate groups to call an emergency general meeting to unseat the board.
Parramatta Leagues Club chief executive Bevan Paul said there were “legal problems” with the proposals for an EGM and voted them all down.
The Eels were found to have engaged in $3 million worth of systemic salary cap breaches since 2013 through the use of illegal third party deals, issuing false invoices and under-the-table player payments.
