NRL Denies Manly's Appeal, Confirms Club's A$750,000 Fine

National Rugby League side Manly Sea Eagles failed in its "attempt to be cleared of salary cap breaches after being knocked back" by the NRL appeals committee, according to the AAP. The NRL's punishment against the Sea Eagles "will stand" after the committee, headed by Ian Callinan, supported the NRL's determination that the club "had illegally guaranteed third party agreements." The club appealed the NRL's sanctions after it was hit with a A$750,000 fine in March and had A$330,000 ($238,000) stripped off its salary cap for '18 and '19. The club said that it would not "take the issue any further despite having further avenues for appeal." Manly said in a statement, "While additional appeal options lay open to it, the club has confirmed that in the interests of allowing its members, players, sponsors and fans the opportunity to move forward, the club will now focus on its 2019 and beyond seasons" (AAP, 9/27).