Rugby League: NRL rules give power to tip Bulldogs out of the running

SYDNEY - If the NRL decides to expel the Bulldogs from this year's competition, it will do so under its general rules rather than those attached to the salary cap.

The league sent a circular to its clubs before last season, telling them that breaches of the A$3.25 million ($3.8 million) cap would be penalised by a fine under a standard structure.

That prompted Canterbury Leagues Club president Gary McIntyre on Tuesday to warn of legal action and to claim it would be "unconscionable" and "unlawful" to expel the Bulldogs from this year's competition.

But the circular also said the NRL board could vary the standard fine in "exceptional circumstances."

The Bulldogs' A$1 million ($1.17 million) breach of the salary cap is in that category, say officials at NRL headquarters.

In this case, it is likely the NRL board will elect to punish the Bulldogs under its general rules, which include provisions for expulsion of clubs.

The NRL's general rules state the league can administer one or more of the following penalties on its clubs:

* A fine of up to A$500,000.

* A fine of up to A$50,000 in the case of an individual.

* Refusal to register a player, or suspension or cancellation of a registration.

* Deduction of competition points.

* Any other sanction that the NRL, or the appeals committee determines.

The final clause is the one on which the NRL will rely if it decides to expel the Bulldogs, who have admitted breaching the salary cap.

A Sydney lawyer yesterday said he believed the Bulldogs would have difficulty winning any legal challenge against being expelled.

The lawyer, who did not wish to be named, said he could not see a clear case for the Bulldogs.

"The NRL has very broad powers in matters such as this," he said.

"I don't think the NRL would be troubled about throwing them out this year on legal grounds."

In Canberra, Australia's sports-loving Prime Minister, John Howard, said administrators should punish salary cap breaches.

"There clearly has been a very blatant breach," Howard said.

"You can't allow something like this to go unpunished. A salary cap is a salary cap.

"It just makes a mockery ... I mean, we have exhortations constantly to the young about cheating and so forth, and really ... I mean ... there's a salary cap.

"They are a wonderful team and I am sorry this has happened.

"I feel very sorry for their supporters.

"The administrators of the game have got to have one thing and one thing only in mind - and that is the welfare of rugby league," said Howard, who is a fan of St George-Illawarra.

A poll in the Sydney Daily Telegraph yesterday found that of 3434 respondents, 2316, or 67 per cent, said the Bulldogs should be disqualified from this season.

- AGENCIES