Melbourne release statement regarding Deloitte Findings

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Acting Melbourne Storm CEO, Frank Stanton, this afternoon addressed the media at AAMI Park and issued the following statement:



Today has clearly been another difficult day for everyone involved with Melbourne Storm.

Melbourne Storm accepts the findings of the Deloitte forensic investigation, which was requisitioned by the club's owner, News Limited.


With the exception of those few individuals named in the report, we are pleased that there was no evidence that the remaining staff, including Head Coach Craig Bellamy and Football Manager Frank Ponissi, were involved in the breach.

Additionally, there was no evidence that players were aware that payments made to them were not disclosed to the NRL or could have contributed to the club breaching the salary cap.

This club can do nothing to change the past and we deeply regret what has occurred. What we will do from this point on is to focus on the future and work tirelessly to rebuild this great club.


The Melbourne Storm Board has today been restructured by the owners to ensure that, with the assistance of the NRL, we can field a competitive team in 2011 that complies with salary cap requirements.

A new CEO will be appointed shortly and with that we can then focus on rebuilding our sponsor base and our standing in the Melbourne and Australian sporting landscape.


We applaud the professionalism our players and staff have shown during this difficult time.

And can I also express our deepest appreciation to our existing sponsors, as well as our members and supporters, we are all extremely grateful for your loyalty and ongoing support, and we have the utmost confidence in the future of this great club.

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