The NRL has hit the Parramatta Eels with a $1 million fine and a penalty of 12 competition points, after the club were found to have breached the salary cap.
The punishment is laden with irony; the Eels were found to be breaching the cap with third party deals since 2013. During the time they were effectively cheating, they were never successful; finishing 16th (last), 10th and 12th respectively.
In 2016, the Eels are in the midst of their most successful season in years – sitting at 5th on the ladder prior to the penalty – and will now be docked their 12 competition points, meaning another year without finals football is again the likely result.
Adding to the irony, the Eels’ penalty is the heaviest since the Melbourne Storm had their competition points removed, were fined $1.7 million and stripped of their 2007 and 2009 premierships – one of which was a victory over the Parramatta Eels.
In addition to the penalties, five Eels officials have been deregistered by the NRL and will be forced to leave the club. Club chairman Steve Sharp, deputy chairman Tom Issa, director Peter Serrao, CEO John Boulous and Head of Football Daniel Anderson will now have to ponder a future outside of the NRL.
While it’s unlikely the blue and gold will be seen in the finals, it is still possible. The Eels have 15 games remaining this year, with two byes. Analysts suggest finishing on 28 competition points will generally grant a team a finals berth, meaning if the Eels were to win 12 of their remaining 15 games, they could sneak in.
