Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan is being investigated by the NRL after the code’s integrity unit uncovered evidence he communicated with the club during his 12-month suspension in 2014.
The Daily Telegraph exclusively reports that Flanagan has been questioned after emails scanned from the Sharks’ internet server as part of the NRL’s ongoing salary cap probe raised the suspicions of investigators.
There was an edict, under the terms of Flanagan’s suspension, imposed following the supplements scandal that engulfed the club, that the coach was to have no direct or indirect contact with officials and players.
The report says emails and phone messages revealed he conversed with senior staff on issues relating to the 2015 season when he was free to return as head coach.
If Flanagan is found to have broken any rules, he could face another ban and the Sharks a big financial penalty.
The club were fined $1 million by the NRL as punishment for the supplements saga, with $400,000 of that suspended.
The Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield reports that $400,000 is now at risk.
