Rugby newcomers Melbourne Rebels to stand down Brian Waldron
Rugby newcomers Melbourne Rebels to stand down Brian Waldron
BRIAN Waldron's future at the Melbourne Rebels is over after he was described as appearing to be "the architect" of Melbourne Storm's salary cap rort.
The Rebels have refused to comment on what will happen to their CEO, but it is understood he will be stood down today. With matters being referred to police, Waldron - who would have been made to sign statutory declarations promising to adhere to NRL rules - faces far more serious problems than losing his job.
Rebels consultant Pat Wilson, a former ARU high performance manager, is expected to be installed as acting CEO today.
The NRL yesterday stripped the Storm of two titles and three minor premierships for cheating the salary cap during a period in which Waldron was chief executive of the club. Waldron quit the Storm in January to join the Rebels, who will enter an expanded Super 15 competition next year.
News Limited chairman and chief executive John Hartigan yesterday said Waldron was at the centre of the scandal engulfing the Storm. News Limited (publisher of The Australian) is the owner of the Storm, pouring millions of dollars into the club since 1998.
"While it is early days, he appears to be the architect of the whole shooting match," Hartigan said. "In my view if we are to be honest as a company and as a sport we should look further than just rugby league. We don't want people like that in sport in Australia. It is entirely up to the Rebels."
Rebels chairman Harold Mitchell would not comment on Waldron, except to say: "It's a matter for the NRL."
But the Rebels board includes some of the most powerful and influential figures in the Australian corporate world.
Waldron's presence would be damaging to the image of the new franchise, especially when they are still in the market for players and sponsorship.
Storm chairman Rob Moodie yesterday said Waldron had apologised to him. "I haven't spoken to him today," Moodie said.
But when pressed to reveal what was said when he did speak to him, Moodie said: "He apologised."
Asked whether Waldron should remain at the Rebels, Moodie said: "It depends on what the investigation shows, but it is essentially up to the Rebels to decide that."
Waldron's foray into the two rugby codes followed a period as chief executive of the St Kilda AFL club from 2001 to 2004.
While Waldron is a Rebels employee, the ARU will watch events closely. A spokesman for the ARU said the body had no idea about the Storm controversy until yesterday's presss conference.
"We haven't had any direct dialogue with the NRL or News Limited so we can't comment on the details of any allegations they might level at any individuals," he said.
A leading Australian rugby union administrator, who did not wish to be named, called on the ARU to appoint an officer to audit player contracts.
While there is no salary cap in Super rugby, there are concerns over the potential abuse of third-party endorsements, which are used to induce players to change teams.
"The ARU needs to take control of third-party payments," the official said. "They have to draw a line in the sand at some point."
"It would be the best money they have ever spent to employ someone to look into every transaction."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225857167777
