Bulldogs fined $500,000 by NRL

The Canterbury Bulldogs have been fined a maximum of $500,000 by the National Rugby League for bringing the game into disrepute during a pre-season trip to Coffs Harbour.

The immediate fine of $150,000 is to be paid up front with a further $350,000 penalty to be paid if the club and its players face any serious off-field misconduct issues between now and the end of the 2006 season.

The NRL chief David Gallop said the penalties were not related to the sexual assault allegations that were investigated by police.

"I have sympathy for the players, their families, officials, former officials and indeed everyone who has been involved in something as traumatic as a sexual assault allegation," Gallop said tonight.

"Still, the behaviour of some club representatives outside of the central allegations remains disturbing and demands sanctions."

The NRL board was most concerned by:

- The Bulldogs' failure to enforce adequate behaviour codes for what was a promotional tour in Coffs Harbour, particularly in the light of the club's previous experiences there a year earlier.

- Behaviour of the players at the club's Belmore training sessions including offensive remarks made to media members.

- Statements made in the media following the announcement of the police investigation, which amounted to a slur on the entire game's attitudes to women.

- The club's failure to ensure players met appropriate presentation standards when called to police headquarters for formal interviews.

"The Board took the view some weeks ago that the game has been brought into disrepute by the events around Coffs Harbour," Gallop said.