Parramatta chairman Steve Sharp vows to clear his name
The Australian
May 19, 2016 12:00AM
Brent Read
Senior sports writer
Sydney
Suspended Parramatta chairman Steve Sharp has sent an emotional email to fellow club chairmen vowing to fight to clear his name and lambasting the NRL for allowing the Eels to be “bashed, abused and virtually destroyed”.
Sharp, whose place at the helm of the club has come under threat following revelations of massive salary cap breaches over the past four years, said events of recent weeks had also prompted him to question his love for the game.
With Sharp currently forbidden from being involved in the day-to-day activities of the football club, fellow director Geoff Gerard is expected to represent the Eels at today’s meeting of club bosses in Sydney.
Sharp, however, felt the need to send a message to the remaining chairmen in an email that indicated he had come to grips with the realisation that his time as chairman of the club was over.
“Over the past three years I have had the pleasure of working with you all to achieve a fair and justifiable position in the game for all clubs,” Sharp wrote.
“Each of you show passion and dedication for your club/organisation above and beyond standard logic. You all would have heard, seen or read the issues which have engulfed the Eels, of which I maintain my innocence and will fight to my dying breath to clear my name.
“The toll it has taken on my family sickens me to the core. I have loved the game for over 50 years, however the events of the past few weeks have left me wondering why. The fact that the NRL has stood by and allowed one of its clubs be bashed, abused and virtually destroyed by the media also makes me wonder why.
“I write this email not as the chairman of the Eels but as Steve Sharp the person and wish you all the best for the rest of the season and beyond. Finally I thank you all for your friendship over the past three years. It is something I will always value.”
Sharp’s email to chairmen came as one of the club’s current board members defended her role in the saga. Tanya Gadiel, formerly the state member for Parramatta, said she remained committed to the club and the formulation of its response to the NRL’s breach notice.
Gadiel also reiterated the NRL investigation into the club had cleared her to remain a director and defended her decision to temporarily stand down from the board of NSW Health to concentrate on helping the Eels.
“I take my responsibilities as a board director very seriously, and the minutes which are subject to the leak demonstrate that,” Gadiel said. “The current National Rugby League salary cap investigation into the Parramatta Eels has made no negative findings in relation to my role as a board member at the Parramatta Eels.
“Notwithstanding that, I had a conversation with the Andrew Keegan, chair of the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health district yesterday — a position I have occupied for almost five years — and offered to stand aside temporarily from my duties until the Eels matter is resolved. It is clear there is a spiteful campaign on foot and I don’t have any desire to put myself above any organisation I have the honour of serving in a board role.
“I remain committed to ensuring the club, my fellow directors and staff named in the breach notice are afforded due process.
“The preliminary findings are being responded to appropriately by our legal team, and I believe the response will be illuminating for the NRL.
“I trust they will consider the club’s response very carefully, unimpaired by the relentless media speculation and commentary.”
While Gadiel fights to clear the club, a host of player agents are expected to come under scrutiny as the NRL continues the investigation into payments to players.
Prominent agent Wayne Beavis, who looks after Jarryd Hayne, is expected to come under the microscope.
The Australian understands Beavis has been reducing his client list, although he is believed to have told people it has nothing to do with the Eels investigation.
