by No Worries Wed Jul 19, 2017 9:34 am
The NRL has offered immunity to Manly officials in exchange for information that could be used as evidence against the club in its salary cap investigation.
Fairfax Media has been told the NRL's integrity unit has approached at least two current Sea Eagles officials suspected of having knowledge of undeclared player payments,and encouraged them to come clean. The officials have been told they can take advantage of a moratorium period in which penalties are waived to encourage full disclosure.
The NRL's integrity unit has spoken to current and former club officials as part of its own investigations following allegations some players received secret cash top-ups in addition to their registered contracts. Several third-party agreements are also being investigated for not being at arm's length from the club or not being properly declared to head office.
Under section 16 of the NRL's Code of Conduct – which covers player contract and remuneration matters – "if any Club or person bound by this Code reasonably suspects that a breach of the NRL Rules … has occurred, it is the duty of that Club or person to report that suspected breach to the NRL Integrity and Compliance Unit as soon as possible after forming the relevant suspicion."
Article 54 of the code goes on to state: "For the purpose of encouraging Clubs, Players, Match Officials and Game Participants to voluntarily disclose past and current practices in breach of this Code, the Board may declare, by written notice, a moratorium period during which the making of a voluntary disclosure which might reveal evidence of a breach of this Code will not result in any penalty being imposed upon: