The NRL has issued salary cap breaches to five clubs, with Wests Tigers copping the biggest fine for breaching a 'long serving player allowance'.
The Tigers copped a $187,140 fine for acting contrary to advice from the salary cap audit team, while minor fines were handed to Gold Coast Titans, St George Illawarra, Parramatta and Canberra following audits into the 2010 season.
The four smaller fines were for use of second tier players and the categorisation of education grants, accommodation and termination payments.
"The compliance across the vast majority of clubs has been encouraging but the penalties are a reminder that the Salary Cap will be enforced," NRL Chief Executive David Gallop said.
"Six clubs were breached last year, most notably the Storm. It is pleasing to see the number down this year but the warning bells for anyone looking to break the rules could not be any louder.
"For the most part we are seeing a genuine wish to comply with the rules from the clubs but this remains an area in which we are always conducting thorough investigations.
"The Salary Cap audit team works incredibly hard to monitor the clubs and deserves considerable recognition for the role it plays in making the Telstra Premiership the closest and most exciting competition in Australian sport."
Gold Coast were fined $76,380; Parramatta $44,988; Canberra $31,657 and St George Illawarra $15,694. The Titans have also been breached a further $2,500 for failing to properly register a Toyota Cup player.
All clubs will have until Friday, May 20, to make submissions to the NRL Chief Executive in relation to the breaches before any penalties are imposed.
The Tigers copped a $187,140 fine for acting contrary to advice from the salary cap audit team, while minor fines were handed to Gold Coast Titans, St George Illawarra, Parramatta and Canberra following audits into the 2010 season.
The four smaller fines were for use of second tier players and the categorisation of education grants, accommodation and termination payments.
"The compliance across the vast majority of clubs has been encouraging but the penalties are a reminder that the Salary Cap will be enforced," NRL Chief Executive David Gallop said.
"Six clubs were breached last year, most notably the Storm. It is pleasing to see the number down this year but the warning bells for anyone looking to break the rules could not be any louder.
"For the most part we are seeing a genuine wish to comply with the rules from the clubs but this remains an area in which we are always conducting thorough investigations.
"The Salary Cap audit team works incredibly hard to monitor the clubs and deserves considerable recognition for the role it plays in making the Telstra Premiership the closest and most exciting competition in Australian sport."
Gold Coast were fined $76,380; Parramatta $44,988; Canberra $31,657 and St George Illawarra $15,694. The Titans have also been breached a further $2,500 for failing to properly register a Toyota Cup player.
All clubs will have until Friday, May 20, to make submissions to the NRL Chief Executive in relation to the breaches before any penalties are imposed.
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