Sponsor slams NRL boss in newspaper ad

NRL chief executive David Gallop. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - The man behind NRL club Canterbury's major sponsor has let loose at the game's boss David Gallop in a paid newspaper letter.

Gary Johnston, managing director of Jaycar Electronics, took out a full page ad in Sydney's Daily Telegraph today to vent his frustrations at the punishments given to Melbourne for their salary cap breaches.

Johnston uses the letter to criticise Gallop's decision to prevent Melbourne from earning any premiership points in 2010 as well as the NRL's current salary cap structure.

"I was astonished to hear then that you capped off Melbourne's punishment with this requirement to expect Melbourne to play for the rest of the year with no points," Johnston says in the advertisement, which he stresses are the views of a fan, not a club sponsor.

"So far you have obstinately refused to even consider well thought out practical alternatives to this decision. In the best interests of the game, I strongly urge you to reconsider your position.

"This debacle has been brought about by the unrealistic rules of the salary cap which you have at all times staunchly defended. It's a good idea but needs far more work, work which you do not seem to think necessary."

Johnston signs off the letter by offering to run it again if he receives messages of support from fans.

The Bulldogs are believed to have distanced themselves from Johnston's views, with club chief executive Todd Greenberg saying the move is purely a decision by Johnston.

"The Bulldogs strongly endorse the actions taken by David Gallop against the Storm," Greenberg was quoted in the Telegraph.

"Jaycar and Gary have a different position and we have agreed to disagree."

Gallop stood by the penalties imposed on the Storm, saying he believed Johnston's views were unlikely to be shared by Bulldogs fans.

"I'd be surprised if Bulldogs fans agreed," Gallop told the Telegraph.

"We remain of the clear view that this was the fairest of solutions to fans and players from all clubs when the game was faced with a very challenging problem."

- AAP