Inglis' Rabbitohs deal blocked

[thelwall]

Greg Inglis' future in the NRL remains up in the air after the NRL blocked his proposed move to South Sydney on Saturday.

The NRL advised the Rabbitohs that it must include the full value of a number of third party agreements relating to the Queensland Origin star's $400,000 a year deal.

Inglis, who reneged on a deal to sign with the Brisbane Broncos when third party deals failed to materialise, will now continue to in rugby league limbo as he is without a club for 2011.

In a statement released on Saturday, the NRL explained that the rules are in place to "ensure that any third party agreement is not in truth a vehicle to remunerate the player for playing rugby league at his club".

"Given the circumstances under which Greg became available to South Sydney, nobody can have been under any doubt about the importance of ensuring his contract complied with the cap," NRL Chief Executive Mr David Gallop said.

"The NRL had already required the Broncos to include third party agreements within their calculation of the contract value and was insisting legal fees also be included when those negotiations ceased.

"South Sydney had been advised to have all proposed offers reviewed by the NRL before making any commitments.

"They chose not to do so and it has taken some time to access all details of the agreements.

"It is unfortunate for Greg that he is in the middle of a difficult situation and I assured him this week that these issues do not reflect on him but that they are matters for clubs in assessing the offers that they make.

"He is one of the games most highly valued players and we have assured him of that in no uncertain terms.

"That said the cap has to apply fairly to all clubs and one club cannot be allowed to do what others were prevented from doing.

"The rules on third party deals are clear.

"We have worked with clubs and players by substantially increasing the amount that sponsors can pay players through the $300,000 marquee player allowance in 2011 but without rules on third party agreements there would be no point in having a salary cap system."

South Sydney admitted they were "disappointed" and disagree with the decision, and will assess the situation this week with NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert.

[DIEHARD]

Hopefully Souths the NRL and Greg can work something out.

I want him at Souths and don't want him lost to our game.

[Ryan]

While losing Inglis would\will be a significant loss to the game, I think it would be a better result than his signing publicly pissing in the face of the effectivness of the salary cap. Inglis not a victim, he made choices - same goes for Souths managment and the other influences involved. You can't blame Gallop or Shubert for protecting the integrity of the salary caps purpose.

[DIEHARD]

I certainly dont but hope something can be worked out. Integrity must be maintained for sure.

[titansrawesome]

i'd rather he go to union so we can win the world cup and laugh at the kiwis by beating them at their own game

[Ryan]

Souths offer up sacrificial Bunnies
James Phelps
The Sunday Telegraph
December 18, 2010 11:00PM
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...-1225973218899


Trade bait ... Beau Champion has been told to look elsewhere by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

SOUTH Sydney have told three high-profile players they are free to leave the club as they aim to free up $500,000 in their salary cap to sign Greg Inglis.

The NRL yesterday refused to register Inglis's contract with Souths because of concerns over a number of third-party sponsorship deals. The Rabbitohs are now scrambling to free up space in their salary cap and have told Beau Champion, Ben Lowe and Michael Crocker that they can look for a new club.

The NRL yesterday claimed Souths had negotiated third-party payments for Inglis without the knowledge of his manager Allan Gainey.

"The National Rugby League has today advised the South Sydney club that it must include the full value of a number of third-party agreements relating to Greg Inglis within the salary cap," the NRL said in a statement.

"The effect of the decision is that South Sydney will be required to advise the NRL as to how the club proposes complying with the $4.1 million cap in 2011 before Greg Inglis's contract will be registered.

"The announcement follows a legal assessment of a number of documents [some received as late as Friday afternoon] and a request from South Sydney that the NRL's determination be announced at the earliest possible opportunity."

The Sunday Telegraph has also learned:

* The contract submitted to the NRL only had Inglis being paid $190,000 under the salary cap, with the rest of his deal made up from third-party payments;

* The NRL wants Inglis to come under the cap at no less than $500,000 in a move that will force the club to offload $310,000 worth of playing talent from its roster;

* The Rabbitohs have told Champion, Lowe and Crocker that they will be released from the final year of their contracts should they be able to find a deal elsewhere.

It leaves the Rabbitohs relying on other clubs to sign at least two of their players to fit Inglis under the cap.

The Cowboys, Eels and Melbourne Storm are understood to be the only clubs with money left to sign any of the Rabbitohs players.

Champion's manager Sam Ayoub yesterday said his client would consider leaving the club if he could find a suitable deal.

"At this point in time Beau has a contract with the Rabbitohs for 2011," Ayoub said. "He will honour that contract. In saying that, if Beau can secure a suitable longer-term deal at another club we will consider it.

"Souths have a number of players coming off contract at the end of next year and they are in a position where they may not be able to keep them."

NRL chief executive David Gallop said the game's governing body would not make any concessions for Inglis or the Rabbitohs.

The Test star is now facing an uncertain future and may be forced to leave the code.

"Given the circumstances under which Greg became available to South Sydney, nobody can have been under any doubt about the importance of ensuring his contract complied with the cap," Gallop said.

"The NRL had already required the Broncos to include third-party agreements within their calculation of the contract value and was insisting legal fees also be included when those negotiations ceased.

"South Sydney had been advised to have all proposed offers reviewed by the NRL before making any commitments. They chose not to do so and it has taken some time to access all details of the agreements.

"That said, the cap has to apply fairly to all clubs and one club cannot be allowed to do what others were prevented from doing.

"The rules on third-party deals are clear."

The Rabbitohs also issued a statement saying they were disappointed with the NRL's decision to block the Inglis deal.

"The South Sydney Rabbitohs are disappointed and disagree with the decision of the NRL to include some of Greg Inglis's third-party agreements in the club's salary cap for the 2011 season," the Rabbitohs statement said.

"The Rabbitohs will assess their salary cap position as determined by the NRL's salary cap auditor today and make a decision on a path forward over the next seven days.

"The Rabbitohs will do everything they can to keep Greg Inglis in rugby league."

Souths CEO Shane Richardson was unwilling to comment while Gainey did not return calls yesterday.

[Ryan]

Thats a noble thing to do to your club!
I wonder how all the fans feel about this - will this cause a divide?
I wonder how the Souths playing roster feels about this - morale issues anyone?
I wonder how much of a welcome GI will get with this type of introduction?

[DIEHARD]

It's interesting to see how this will play out with the fans and players.

I don't think many Souths fans will loose much sleep over losing Asotasi for starters, he has underperformed since signing.

But Souths won't miss the opportunity to sign such a classy player. The benefits for the club are huge.

Melbourne AFL clubs and the Melbourne union Rebels are also a chance...

[titansrawesome]

wow what a burden to get one player to the club

[Mushi]

Well hope he really is worth losing other players for. I think he is a great player but is it worth such disruption to the club to sign him. I for one am sooooo glad he didn't come to us! What a hassle. Goodluck souths in your efforts to sign him!