AFL's integrity shot: Gallop
Updated June 1, 2010 19:17:00
NRL chief executive David Gallop says the AFL has "manipulated" its rules by recruiting rugby league international Israel Folau.
The two football codes were at war on Tuesday over the AFL's
luring of Folau to their newest entity, Team GWS.
The 21-year-old confirmed he will defect to the AFL and instantly become arguably the competition's highest paid player.
The Australian, Queensland and Brisbane Broncos star has signed a four-year deal with GWS, who enter the AFL in 2012, reportedly worth up to $6 million.
"If I stayed in rugby league or even if I went to rugby union I would be getting paid well," Folau said.
"Money was not the end factor in my decision, it was the opportunity that came up."
Gallop accused the AFL of manipulating their rules to sign Folau.
Folau follows another former Bronco Karmichael Hunt, who will play for Gold Coast Football Club in the AFL, in switching codes.
"Obviously this is a very, very big punt by the AFL," Gallop said.
"It's a huge amount of money to spend on one player."
Gallop says Folau's conversion
"can only throw out of whack their draft and (salary) cap system".
He questions how the AFL could preach talent equalisation and salary parity when they
"have a player come from the outside on such a massive amount of money".
"They have manipulated it again today in a way where I think other clubs in the AFL would be scratching their heads," Gallop said.
Folau's monies will sit outside the AFL's salary cap.
Under AFL rules, any club can sign any player who has not been registered for any Australian rules club for three years.
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AAP
