https://wwos.nine.com.au/2018/03/26/14/47/how-manly-s-salary-cap-breaches-unfolded
How Manly's salary cap breaches unfolded
By AAP
KEY QUESTIONS FROM MANLY'S SALARY CAP BREACHES
* WHAT DID THEY DO?
NRL Integrity Unit investigators claim to have uncovered more than $1.5 million in promised payments to 13 players during negotiations over the past five years above their cap-disclosed salary. Five of those players were considered to be offered significant payments, while the other eight were smaller through offering of materials such as cars. The Sea Eagles then scrambled to find the additional payment to the players, often by introducing them to third parties. The NRL claimed the club then signed false total remuneration statements to the league, and claimed the third-party deals were made at arm's length, when they were in fact procured by the club. Manly have denied the base of the claims.
* HOW WERE THEY CAUGHT?
Manly approached the NRL to investigate the club last July, in a bid to quell rumours spread after the Strike Force Nuralda investigation into match-fixing ultimately disproved claims. The NRL, with some resistance from Manly, then seized more than 800,000 documents, including from e-mails, texts and all club laptops and hard drives. A breach notice was given last December, to which Manly responded in person in February, denying the claims.
* WHY DIDN'T THEY LOSE COMPETITION POINTS?
Manly are under the salary cap for 2018, and have therefore not had any points stripped. This differs significantly to Parramatta in 2016, Melbourne in 2010 and Canterbury in 2002.
* WHAT WILL THIS MEAN?
The punishments are likely to cost the club a middle-range player in 2019. Manly have already confirmed on Sunday to NRL.com that off-contract prop Darcy Lussick was free to look elsewhere for a better deal for next year. The dramas also played a role in Manly missing out on both Mitchell Pearce and Trent Hodkinson.
* HOW HAVE MANLY RESPONDED?
Manly believe they have serious grounds to appeal the findings, and have five business days to do so pending legal advice. They have denied the central allegations and insist they have paid players additional amounts above the salary cap declaration.