Gallop takes bite at Hasler
  * Dean Ritchie
  * From: The Daily Telegraph
  * March 09, 2011 12:00AM
MANLY and the NRL are officially at war - and the feud is getting ugly.
Angry Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler launched two extraordinary attacks on NRL chief executive David Gallop yesterday as the club demands reasons as to why Brett Stewart was suspended for four weeks in 2009.
The drama erupted after Benji Marshall and Todd Carney avoided any suspension over the past fortnight despite headline-grabbing alcohol indiscretions.
The NRL yesterday took the extraordinary step of firing back at Hasler and the Manly club - releasing a Manly report from 2009 that stated Stewart was asked to leave the Wharf Bar, where the club held its season launch, "due to intoxication".
This is only adding to a week of infamy for the game.
There were even suggestions last night that Stewart may consider taking legal action against Gallop, who continues to claim that the former Test fullback was drunk at the function.
Manly vehemently deny Stewart was heavily intoxicated and want Gallop to either apologise or explain why he suspended the star fullback for four weeks and fined the club $100,000.
Hasler, Manly CEO Graham Lowe and chairman Scott Penn fronted a media conference yesterday to state their case, with the NRL then issuing their own statement three hours later.
"The club wants an explanation," Hasler fumed to The Daily Telegraph last night.
"What has he [Gallop] based the facts on?
"You can't fine a club $100,000 and suspend a player for four weeks because he had a few beers.
"David, what part of Brett's behaviour offended you? David, prove Brett was intoxicated. David, tell us what Brett's behaviour was that led to the suspension? They say he was asked to leave. The licensing police dispute that."
At the media conference early yesterday, Hasler said: "Some sections of the media reported Brett was blind drunk and couldn't remember anything - that wasn't the case. Brett wasn't heavily intoxicated and his behaviour in no way brought the game into disrepute or contravened any code of conduct.
"The NRL claims the Manly club is confused. We are anything but that."
"The NRL only acted on Stewart's alleged intoxication at the time but would not act on the player's sexual assault allegation before he appeared in court. Stewart was cleared.
"Manly say licensing police viewed CCTV of the Wharf Bar that day and found no breaches of conduct. No charges were laid against the licensee for breaches of licensing laws."
NRL management claim they undertook their own inquires into Stewart's behaviour that day and the fullback was, in fact, intoxicated. "We are going over old ground if we talk about the responsibility that Brett had been given by the game [as the face of rugby league in 2009] and the focus on an event such as a season launch," Gallop said.
"It remains disappointing that this is being revisited at a time when Brett should be allowed to move on with everyone's support.
"Comments the NRL has made in relation to Brett Stewart in recent days have only been in reply to emotional accusations by Des Hasler and questions from the media."
Manly officials urged Gallop to meet with Stewart but that appears unlikely.
The Sea Eagles statement, in part, read: "Manly is bitterly disappointed that after two years spent clearing his name, Brett Stewart continues to be vilified. Brett continues to be dragged into the limelight every time another player allegedly misbehaves. This is not acceptable."
Manly claimed the penalty imposed on Stewart was "grossly unfair".
Manly are attempting to retrieve the $100,000 fine from the NRL.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/gallop-takes-bite-at-hasler/story-e6frfgbo-1226018059563