The National Rugby League's cocaine scandal has cost the Cronulla Sharks and the Sydney Roosters more than A$1M ($740,000) in sponsorship, according to Phil Rothfield of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Financial adviser Infinity Group Australia reportedly informed the management of both clubs that it is withdrawing its support. The Sharks "have been rocked" by Chair Damian Keogh’s cocaine possession charges and the Roosters by Shaun Kenny-Dowall "facing similar charges." Infinity is a sponsor on the back of the Sharks jersey and was to spend A$700,000 ($516,250) over the next two years. The company also sponsors the Roosters for around A$150,000 ($110,600) over a similar time frame. Infinity used to sponsor the Parramatta Eels "but pulled out over the club’s salary cap scandal" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 5/9). The London GUARDIAN reported Keogh "resigned from his position so he can address allegations that police found a white powder on his person" in a Sydney pub on Friday night. Sharks U20 player Jesse Savage became the fifth person to "allegedly have cocaine found on him over the weekend" after he was arrested at a Cronulla nightclub (GUARDIAN, 5/10).
