National Rugby League side Wests Tigers "descended into a state of civil war" with the Balmain side of the joint venture accusing the Magpies of "betrayal of trust and an indication of disrespect," according to Andrew Webster of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Balmain Chair Leslie Glen "issued a blistering response to revelations in Fairfax Media that powerful stakeholder Wests Ashfield wants control of the Wests Tigers board in exchange for saving the club from insolvency." Balmain directors met on Tuesday night "to discuss how to respond to Wests' proposal, under which the Magpies would gain an additional director on the board and the chairmanship for three years." But the appearance of the story in Fairfax Media -- as well as comments from Wests Chair Mike Bailey -- "has outraged Balmain, and the joint venture's future is shrouded in uncertainty." Glen said, "Wests made an offer to Balmain Tigers recently, as outlined in the Herald article, which was confidential and which was to be considered by the Balmain Tigers board this evening [Tuesday]. The leaking of that offer and the comments by Mike Bailey is seen by me, at least, as a betrayal of trust and an indication of disrespect from our partners at Wests Ashfield" (SMH, 8/20).
