Plot thickens at the Eels as salary cap probe runs deeper

Outside-the-cap payments to former Eels Will Hopoate and Jarryd Hayne have come under scrutiny after the club reportedly offered ticketing benefits to a third party.

Reports overnight indicate John Iori, the owner of Rouse Hill village shopping centre, provided $20,000 third-party payments to both Hopoate and Hayne in season 2014, and has admitted to receiving free corporate hospitality at Parramatta Eels home games.

This practice is not allowable under current salary cap rules, although in speaking to News Corp Australia, Iori believed what was taking place was legal, and stated he was just trying to help the club and the game in general with his investment.

Further allegations made public relate to the decrease of the dollar value of a sporting goods supplier's sponsorship of the club, in order for that company to make payments to former player Ben Smith back in 2013, while other reports suggest current Eels winger Semi Radradra and former forward Richie Fa'aoso were provided apartments by a real estate agent. At this time there is no suggestion in those instances of any illegal activity in those allegations.

NRL investigations into the Eels' governance and salary cap processes continue.