NRL poised to strip Melbourne Storm of points over salary cap breaches

PREMIERS Melbourne Storm are braced to lose NRL premiership points as a result of salary cap violations.

Storm officials are in Sydney today for discussions over the outcome of NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert's investigation into player deals.

Leading sports bookmakers Sportingbet Australia this morning suspended wooden spoon betting after a series of bets on the premiers at $251 to finish last.

Rumours swept league circles today that the Storm would lose their premiership points and face a hefty fine.

It is understood any fine or sanction won't be retrospective, so Melbourne's 2009 premiership is not threatened by the findings.

The fine is likely to be at least a large six-figure amount, with rumours it could go as high as $1 million.

Asked by The Courier-Mail this morning if the Storm has been stripped of their eight premiership points, NRL chief executive David Gallop said: "There hasn't been that decision. There hasn't been (a decision on a fine).



"I can't really comment on anything that is going on with the storm at the moment. I have said before we are investigating a number of issues. it's the same position.

"I'm working on it as quickly as I can."

A loss of eight premiership points would not end Melbourne's chances of making the final eight, but even the mental strength of a team which has made the past four grand finals, winning two, would be tested.

Canterbury were stripped 37 premiership points in 2002 and were also fined $500,000.

The Warriors were the most recent violators of the salary cap, starting the 2006 season with a four-point deficit and having to operate under a reduced salary cap, as well as pay a $430,000 fine.

Sportingbet Australia chief executive Michael Sullivan said the wooden-spoon bets set off alarm bells as the Storm were favourites for the premiership.

"We took three bets to win $10,000 and another to win $8000 on the Storm for the Wooden Spoon all within 10 minutes of each other this morning," Sullivan said.

"You don't take a series of bets like that unless someone knows something or think they know something and we have suspended betting on the wooden spoon as a result."

Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith was implicated last month in a possible salary cap breach by the Storm over a television appearance deal.

 

****ing huge news

 

\_/.

 

Brisbane aren't coming last.

 

They should lose more then just their 8 points.

Dirty cheating mexican ****s.

 

Yeah, take 12 points off them so they dont get points for the bye like everyone else.

That will well and truly **** them over.

I can see this ending terribly for saints though.

We finish a comfortable first, Melbourne sneak into 8th, beat us and we have to travel to like New Zealand or some shit and go out in straight sets again.

 

lol NZ won't be there week 2 of the semis.

 

Already making excuses for the gas chamber.

 

Probably a storm in a teacup.


lol