RLPA take Roosters to task over Radley sanctions and salary cap loophole

The Rugby League Players’ Association has raised concerns with the Sydney Roosters over the sanctions imposed against Victor Radley and have asked the club to explain the terms of the punishment.

The RLPA is concerned that the Roosters have not acted within the terms outlined in the collective bargaining agreement and that the proposed penalty to Radley doesn’t fit in with permitted options available to the club.

The Roosters hit Radley with a 10-game ban without pay (approximately worth $125,000) and also ordered him to make a $30,000 donation to charity after text messages published in this masthead surfaced during the week.

Radley was implicated in a Queensland Police investigation that led to former teammate Brandon Smith facing a drug supply charge.

Radley has agreed to the sanctions imposed by the Roosters and has also agreed to sign away his rights to any recourse when he meets with chairman Nick Politis on Monday.

The RLPA has now raised concerns with the conduct of the Roosters and have the ability to file a dispute with the NRL pending the outcome of their request for more information from the Tricolours.

Victor Radley on the attack for the Roosters.Credit: Getty Images

The RLPA has respected Radley’s willingness to accept the Roosters’ sanction, but want to ensure a precedent isn’t set that could be exploited by rival clubs. Radley is not seeking a reduction in his punishment.

The RLPA declined to comment when contacted by this masthead.

Under the terms of the CBA, a club is allowed to deduct one-thirtieth of the playing fee for each match suspended when the suspension exceeds eight matches. That is not the same as being suspended without pay, as the Roosters are proposing to do with Radley.

The Roosters have the right to apply for salary cap relief but are not guaranteed to receive approval from the NRL, which is waiting until the Smith matter is heard in court before beginning its own Integrity Unit investigation.

The only reason the Sydney Roosters are able to apply for salary cap relief is because the club decided not to fine Radley, but instead imposed a 10-week suspension without pay which is the equivalent of close to $125,000.

If the club fined Radley, the Roosters would not have opened the door to seek dispensation because fines don’t fall into the salary cap exemption category.

The other benefit for Radley under the Roosters arrangement is that 10 weeks without pay only equates to close to $65,000 net loss ($125,000 gross). He would have had to pay close to double if he was fined the $125,000. The $30,000 donation to charity is also a tax deduction.

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While the RLPA want to support Radley and ensure he remains at the Roosters, they are cognisant of rival clubs using the Roosters’ ploy to exploit players in the future.

Under the CBA, clubs are allowed to fine players a maximum of 25 per cent of their salary. Radley is on $650,000 next year (maximum penalty of $162,500).

Meanwhile, England coach Shaun Wane is adamant he will pick Radley for the end-of-season Ashes series.

“Absolutely. He’s a fantastic member of our squad, very popular,” Wane said. “He’s been dealt with by the Roosters and we move on. When we select the squad, he’s going to be a big boost to everybody.

“We’re happy at this end. We need to be very strong as a squad when Australia come here. He makes us stronger.”

Wane said he had no qualms about selecting Radley after speaking to the embattled forward.

“Victor is a really nice guy,” Wane said. “He’s messed up and he’s been dealt with. But he’s a great guy, very popular, I have a lot of respect for him. We move on.”

with Adrian Proszenko

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