Sporting News expert
Peter Peters told
Sky Sports Radio that the rest of the competition is demanding strong and immediate action as the Eels continue to collect competition points using players who are unwittingly caught up in the drama.
“The first 24 points scored by Parramatta against Canberra (on Saturday) were all from their new recruits,” Zorba pointed out.
“Some of these issues are involved with this side that is on the park.
“If that side is on the park (and are) over the salary cap, as has been suggested, then the league has to come up with a penalty sooner rather than later.
“It can’t drag on. It’s not fair to the Parramatta fans, it’s not fair to their players, it’s not fair to the coaching staff.”
Melbourne were stripped of two NRL titles and played the 2010 season for no competition points, while Canterbury had all 37 competition points taken away in 2002 after severe salary cap breaches.
Peters believes the NRL has to come down equally hard on Parramatta.
He said: “It’s a massive, massive issue.
“A lot of people are saying that’s it’s got to be Storm-like, Dogs-like.
“And word coming out of the NRL headquarters is that it will be very, very heavy.
“Parramatta’s joy at the moment could be all awash with one stroke (of the pen) of the NRL.
“You can’t cheat. And if it’s been systematic cheating, which has been suggested, then it’s got to be very strong.
“You can’t keep having Parramatta turn up, the fans getting all excited, and we’re dragging the chain.
“We’re into round six. A decision has to be made this week.”