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Eels embroiled in secret payments scandal

Eels engulfed in secret payments scandal

The Parramatta Eels are embroiled in a fresh salary-cap scandal, with reports emerging of third-party payments made to players by Eddie Obeid Jnr, the son of disgraced former politician Eddie Obeid.

Obeid reportedly was involved in topping up Eels’ players contracts, admitting to boosting recently departed Chris Sandow’s $550,000 deal with and extra $200,000-a-year.

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Controversial Eels chairman Roy Spagnolo, who ran the club from 2009 to 2013 allegedly used off-the-book payments totaling over $1 million.

Spagnolo, who was deemed "not a fit and proper person" to run a registered club, is alleged to have diverted funds to companies established for personal property development deals, with that money then being funneled to players.

Will Hopoate is said to have received an additional $50,000 to $100,000 a year in payments not registered with the NRL. Whilst an un-registered payment was reportedly made to Jarryd Hayne after he had left the club to pursue his NFL carer with the San Francisco 49ers.

This latest controversy follows the $525,000 fine given to the Eels in May for exceeding all four salary cap categories last year by more than $400,000.