fLIP
UFO Hunter
FIVE clubs, possibly six, will today be fined for breaching last year's NRL salary cap.
One club confirmed as breaking the $3.36million cap is the battling Canberra Raiders - a result, claims Raiders chief executive Simon Hawkins, of "financial complications".
These included incentive payments to representative players like Adam Mogg and a deal over final payments to rugby-bound Clinton Schifcofske.
"We've had some issues with (NRL salary cap auditor) Ian Schubert," Hawkins said. "We don't know by how much we have breached (the cap). It's complicated. We have argued with the NRL - they agreed on some points and disagreed on others."
There was speculation last night Melbourne Storm, Brisbane and South Sydney were also looking at fines for breaches.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said no club had openly flouted the salary cap rules.
"The board will (today) consider the report from the 2006 audit," Gallop said. "We expect a number of clubs to be fined, but there is no evidence of systematic cheating with any of the clubs.
In other news, Canberra last night axed Steve Irwin just hours after wayward star Todd Carney commenced rehabilitation which include an alcohol ban.
The pair landed in trouble after Carney, 20 and suspended from driving until 2012, allegedly led ACT police on a pursuit while driving Irwin's car.
It had been thought Irwin would stay and Carney would be sacked - especially as Carney was charged after the incident and Irwin wasn't.
But despite that, the injured flanker was yesterday shown the door before playing a game for the club.
Hawkins has revealed the incident was not Irwin's first indiscretion since arriving in Canberra.
The club also offered the former Bronco a chance to play with its Brisbane feeder club, the South Logan Magpies.
It was knocked back.
Hawkins has conceded officials could be accused of "double standards" over Irwin's sacking.
"It probably is a case of treating people differently and that could be perceived as double standards," Hawkins said.
"We have our reasons for doing what we have done."
In deciding to throw Carney a third lifeline, the Raiders have maintained their investment in the local junior was crucial.
One club confirmed as breaking the $3.36million cap is the battling Canberra Raiders - a result, claims Raiders chief executive Simon Hawkins, of "financial complications".
These included incentive payments to representative players like Adam Mogg and a deal over final payments to rugby-bound Clinton Schifcofske.
"We've had some issues with (NRL salary cap auditor) Ian Schubert," Hawkins said. "We don't know by how much we have breached (the cap). It's complicated. We have argued with the NRL - they agreed on some points and disagreed on others."
There was speculation last night Melbourne Storm, Brisbane and South Sydney were also looking at fines for breaches.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said no club had openly flouted the salary cap rules.
"The board will (today) consider the report from the 2006 audit," Gallop said. "We expect a number of clubs to be fined, but there is no evidence of systematic cheating with any of the clubs.
In other news, Canberra last night axed Steve Irwin just hours after wayward star Todd Carney commenced rehabilitation which include an alcohol ban.
The pair landed in trouble after Carney, 20 and suspended from driving until 2012, allegedly led ACT police on a pursuit while driving Irwin's car.
It had been thought Irwin would stay and Carney would be sacked - especially as Carney was charged after the incident and Irwin wasn't.
But despite that, the injured flanker was yesterday shown the door before playing a game for the club.
Hawkins has revealed the incident was not Irwin's first indiscretion since arriving in Canberra.
The club also offered the former Bronco a chance to play with its Brisbane feeder club, the South Logan Magpies.
It was knocked back.
Hawkins has conceded officials could be accused of "double standards" over Irwin's sacking.
"It probably is a case of treating people differently and that could be perceived as double standards," Hawkins said.
"We have our reasons for doing what we have done."
In deciding to throw Carney a third lifeline, the Raiders have maintained their investment in the local junior was crucial.
