National Rugby League side Parramatta Eels parent company Parramatta Leagues Club's administrator, Max Donnelly, described as "misconceived or false" fresh allegations by a whistleblower that "specifically singled out" the club's CEO, Bevan Paul, according to Nick Tabakoff of THE AUSTRALIAN. A "raft of allegations" have reportedly been made by the club's former property and facilities boss, Pierina Cappelli, against Paul, through correspondence sent initially to the club and ultimately to NSW Racing & Gaming Minister Paul Toole, as well as "senior NSW clubs regulators." It was revealed on Tuesday that Cappelli "made allegations" that the NRL club "was in breach" of the code's salary cap "to this day," by "heavily discounting rental properties in the Parramatta area for Eels players." Donnelly "strongly denied the allegations," while the NRL said that it is currently awaiting information from Liquor & Gaming NSW, "which has commenced its own comprehensive investigation into the allegations." Apart from the salary cap claims, Cappelli also alleged that:
- Paul "used the club’s disciplinary process to exclude political opponents at the club," including former Eels Dir Lawrence Shepherd.
- Contracts were awarded under Paul's watch "without competitive tender."
- The Parramatta Leagues Club CEO "sought to break up expenditures on key club projects" into increments of A$100,000 ($74,000) or less to "avoid having to seek Donnelly's approval" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 8/22).
