NRL chief David Gallop says Melbourne should apologise
By Steve Mascord and Dean Ritchie | October 03, 2008 12:00am
DAVID Gallop yesterday became the first rugby league official in 100 years to take part in legal action against the coach and chief executive of a Grand Final club and then declared: "They should apologise now."
Just hours after handing over a $100,000 cheque to Melbourne chief executive Brian Waldron for winning the minor premiership, league CEO Gallop offered his support to judiciary members seeking to sue Waldron and coach Craig Bellamy for defamation.
"They have created an unnecessary confusion about whether they regret what was said," Gallop said. "That's why they should apologise now."
At the end of a troubled centenary year for the game, the leading club now finds itself in direct legal conflict with the governing body - and Waldron is refusing to back down.
The closest thing to the imbroglio in Australian league history came in 1995 when the Bulldogs played in the Grand Final at the same time as the courts decided the Super League falling-out.
Judiciary members Royce Ayliffe, Darrell Williams and Darren Britt are the ones taking the action but Gallop is helping them with legal advice.
"He (Bellamy) has had ample time to make an apology," Ayliffe told The Daily Telegraph. "It hasn't come forth which is disturbing. We will now let the solicitors pursue it.
"I'm just grateful the NRL is backing us. It's not about the money. It is about our integrity."
Judiciary chairman Greg Woods, a District Court judge, wrote to the Storm demanding an apology and did not get a response.
Waldron, speaking outside yesterday's Grand Final luncheon, said: "The judiciary, we offered to meet them next week to discuss the matter.
"We have indicated to them we will address their concerns next week - however they have chosen to make it clear they want something this week.
"We think that is inappropriate for the Melbourne Storm and indeed inappropriate for the game. I would have thought the best thing for the game would be to concentrate on what's happening on Sunday night.