Parramatta Eels forced to pay even if Semi Radradra doesn't play
Date
July 2, 2016 - 7:03PM
Adrian Proszenko
Chief Rugby League Reporter
Parramatta will likely have to carry more than $150,000 of dodgy payments scheduled for Semi Radradra in their salary cap during the next two years even if domestic violence charges or a rugby defection prevent him from playing for the club during that time.
Radradra returned from his native Fiji on Thursday to be greeted by police at Sydney Airport, where he was charged with three counts of domestic violence against former partner Perina Ting.
The Dally M winger of the year was taken into custody and released on conditional bail. Radradra's manager, George Christodoulou, has indicated his client intends to fight the charges.
The NRL advised Parramatta to stand Radradra down, despite the fact the governing body's guiding principle is to afford players a presumption of innocence while police investigate such matters. Given the 24-year-old was again late to return from his homeland and was investigating the prospect of reneging on his Eels deal, the club had a ready-made reason to sideline him for Saturday's clash with Cronulla.
It is understood Radradra had signed with French club Bordeaux on the condition he be granted a temporary release from Parramatta, which was ultimately not forthcoming after the NRL blocked the move. However, the Eels have indicated the domestic violence allegations won't sideline their star player at this point, believing that action would be perceived as an admission of guilt.
Radradra is signed until the end of 2017 and the Eels are keen to upgrade and extend his contract. But even if he didn't play for the blue and golds during the next two years – due to police charges or a code switch – the club will likely have to foot a considerable part of his wages in the salary cap regardless as part of their salary cap sanctions.
Radradra was allegedly set to be the beneficiary of $157,200 in payments during the next two seasons that the NRL alleges weren't disclosed to them. In the breach notice sent to Parramatta, head office stated those payments – and others totalling $1.3 million over the next three years – will be counted in the club's salary cap. It is unlikely the NRL – which is expected to finalise its sanctions against Parramatta within a fortnight – will budge on the issue following the club's response.
In all, 10 players were allegedly scheduled to receive undisclosed payments during the next three years. The biggest payments, of $450,000 over three years, were allocated to Kieran Foran, while the Eels will also likely foot the $400,000 set aside for Anthony Watmough, despite the player having retired on medical grounds. There is no suggestion Foran, Radradra, Watmough or any other player was aware that funds slated for them were in contravention of NRL rules.
Parramatta is the first and only professional club in a national sporting competition to boast a domestic violence action plan. The club has been liaising with Ting during the matter and has been assisting with accommodation following her split with Radradra.
The Radradra saga is the latest drama in the most tumultuous year in Parramatta's history. The club is expected to be formally stripped of 12 competition points and fined $1million in coming weeks, while the players have been involved in a litany of scandals. Playmaker Corey Norman is facing drug possession charges, Foran has been stripped of the captaincy after a series of personal issues and there are at least three groups trying to topple the dysfunctional board.
The club's ability to retain Norman and Radradra has been hampered by their off-field issues and the fact the club is still unsure of its salary cap position until the NRL formalises its sanctions.
