The NRL has made the following press release regarding the Parramatta Eels:
The NRL said on Thursday that, based on information currently available, the Parramatta Eels are now salary cap compliant for the remainder of the 2016 season.
The club may now submit, as part of its response to the Breach Notice, that it should be allowed to keep any points it wins in Friday night’s game against South Sydney and for the balance of the season.
An investigation by the Integrity Unit made preliminary findings that the Parramatta Eels were $570,000 over the salary cap for 2016.
Parramatta has made the following changes to its roster to come under the cap:
• Anthony Watmough has been medically retired with a career-ending injury
• Nathan Peats has transferred to the Gold Coast Titans
• The club’s salary cap position was also affected by Morgan Ryan’s recent transfer to the Melbourne Storm
As a result, Salary Cap Auditor Jamie L’Oste Brown is satisfied that the Eels are now within the cap, based on the information available.
The 12 points accumulated while the club is alleged to have been in breach of the 2016 cap will remain on the competition ladder until a final determination on the breach notice is made.
Head of Integrity Nick Weeks said the club had required additional time to respond to the breach notice so a final determination is now likely in mid-June.
That is great news for the Eels players and supporters. It allows the club to play for competition points and try and put this rotten time behind them.
