The battle for the National Rugby League side Canterbury Bulldogs board "has taken a bitter twist," with Chair Ray Dib denying he hired a PR agency to investigate the rival Lynne Anderson-led ticket to "build a dirt file," according to Matt Logue of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. A letter from the Anderson camp reportedly claimed Dib "sought external assistance in defeating the members of the Bulldogs' 2018 Reform Ticket." Dib on Tuesday "strenuously denied the allegations," adding, "I'm very disappointed to hear that and it's totally untrue." The Bulldogs' 2018 Reform Ticket, which includes Lynne Anderson, John Ballesty, Steve Price, Chris Anderson, Paul Dunn, John Khoury and Nick Dimas, "also called for respect to be shown to the 19 candidates running for the club's board" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 1/17). In Sydney, Andrew Webster reported while both factions "initially promised to debate the issues respectfully," there has been "growing acrimony" as the club's Feb. 11 elections loom. The 2018 Reform Ticket released a statement which said, "We have been informed by several credible and respected sources that a PR agency has been hired to build a dirt file on members of the Bulldogs 2018 Reform ticket contesting the upcoming elections. While incredibly disappointed, we are not surprised." Members of the ticket did not elaborate on their claims (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 1/17).
