Eels captain unfazed by salary cap claims

Tim Mannah says Parramatta have nothing to fear over fresh claims that they are again cheating the NRL salary cap.

Tim Mannah

Tim Mannah made his NRL debut in 2009 and has played more than 200 games for Parramatta. (AAP)

Parramatta captain Tim Mannah has backed his club's current administration amid fresh reports that the Eels are again rorting the NRL salary cap.

Mannah said his side learned some hard lessons two years ago when they were stripped of 12 competition points and slapped with a $1 million fine after systematic breaching of the salary cap.

"They've gone through huge measures over the last 18 months to make sure we're in a much better stead and a much cleaner organisation," he told reporters on Wednesday.

"To be honest, we've scared off a lot of sponsors last year, we've learnt some hard lessons and we've worked really hard to get back to where we are now.

"There's definitely nothing for us to fear, or feel like we need to defend."

The latest claims came to light after a former Eels staffer contacted the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) alleging the club was providing free or discounted rental properties to its players.

It is believed all accommodation provided by Parramatta to players must be declared at market value under NRL salary cap regulations.

NSW Gaming and Racing minister Paul Toole confirmed an investigation into the Eels was underway.

However, Parramatta chairman Max Donnelly categorically denied the claims on Tuesday, saying the club had moved quickly to clear its name.

In a letter to Eels members, Donnelly said since July 2016 the NRL, ILGA, Australian Tax Office and accounting firm Ernst and Young had all ticked off on the club's salary cap compliance.

An NRL spokesperson confirmed the governing body was not in possession of any material suggesting a salary cap breach and had uncovered no discrepancies in their audits.


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Source: AAP



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