Melbourne Storm refuse to release Greg Inglis to Brisbane Broncos unless he forks out $113,000 they allege he owes in legal costs.
The money relates to defence costs from an assault charge laid against Inglis involving his fiancee Sally Robinson in August 2009.
A bitter stand-off has developed between the Storm and Inglis, with claims Melbourne are "holding the Test star to ransom" in a bid to keep him at the club next year.
Inglis, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, is due to join the Broncos in seven days, but Storm CEO Ron Gauci refuses to guarantee he'll be there.
"I don't think anything is guaranteed," Gauci said.
Inglis escaped a conviction over the incident with Robinson, but was ordered to attend a men's behavioural change program and pay $3000 to a women's health organisation in Melbourne's west.
However, it's the cost of legal fees spent over eight months to clear Inglis' name that have led to the latest sticking point.
Inglis is claiming he was given little choice as to who and how his defence was determined. It's alleged that a cost agreement was signed by a former Melbourne Storm official, with the defence of Inglis believed to be as much about clearing his name as it was preserving the Storm brand.
"And so a lot of the costs could be proportioned back to the Storm," The Sunday Telegraph was told by a source close to both parties.
"Greg has argued that he was given no choice as to who did the work and how it was done and who was involved, yet he is being told to cover the majority of costs. They appointed a QC, not Greg."
While both Inglis and the Storm have indicated they'll cover some of the legal costs, the dispute revolves around how much each should pay.
Inglis' lawyer Keith Bagley refused to discuss the matter.
"I'm Greg's lawyer and I'm bound by solicitor-client confidence. I won't be commenting," Bagley said.
Inglis' manager Allan Gainey was also unwilling to comment.
However, the source told The Sunday Telegraph: "Essentially he's being held to ransom on a release to the Broncos and he's being told that unless you allow us to deduct that money for what you would otherwise get for this season, then we're not going to give you a release.
"And they say they can get him under the salary cap (for 2011)."
Gauci described claims the club was holding Inglis to ransom as "mischievous", but he hinted that any possible release may not come until next season.
"He hasn't been released because we're trying to reconcile a statement of accounts and there are some other historical matters that we're trying to resolve," Gauci said.
"We're hoping to have it resolved over the next week or so, but the deadline is the start of next season, obviously."
Asked if there was any chance of Inglis remaining at the Storm, Gauci replied: "Anything is possible if negotiations break down. But what are the chances of him deciding to retire, what are the chances of him going overseas. . . that's such an open question."
Broncos CEO Bruno Cullen admitted the issue was a concern for his club.
"Our position is that we're just a bystander and we can only encourage all parties to get together and get it sorted as soon as possible," Cullen said.
"We start training on November 1 and that's something we'll have to get clarified in the next week because if he's not cleared by November 1, I'm not too sure of the legalities of him actually joining the squad and training."
NRL chief executive David Gallop said he was aware of the situation between Inglis and the Storm and confirming his contract with the Broncos was yet to be registered with the NRL.
