Ex-Warrior denies getting third-party money at Sharks amid NRL cap probe

November 25, 2018
Jeff Robson. Vodafone Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles, NRL Rugby League. Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand. Saturday 9 April 2016. Copyright Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.Photosport.nz

Former Cronulla playmaker Jeff Robson has denied receiving any third-party payments while at the club after his name was linked to the NRL's salary cap investigation into the Sharks.

A report on Sunday claimed the NRL integrity unit had found the Sharks had allegedly used a fake invoice and loan to pay two players in 2015, according to News Corp Australia.

Former chief executive and current Manly boss Lyall Gorman is expected to be quizzed by the NRL this week, after the Sharks self-reported their concerns earlier this year.

According to the report, the Sharks were issued an invoice for $100,000 to bring their phones across the now deregistered company Compare Communications.

A five-year loan was allegedly taken out to cover the cost of the 'goods' but the telecommunications company's owner John Barker said no payment was made after the phones ended up not being brought across.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing from Barker or Gorman, or that the then-CEO was aware of the situation.

The report also claimed the concerns were over payments made to the now-retired Chris Heighington and Robson, with also no suggestion they knew or were involved in any wrongdoing.

Regardless though, Robson took to social media on Sunday to insist it was not possible for him to have been caught up in the scandal at all.

"Just to clear things up, I have never received one dollar from John Barker or any of his companies," Robson tweeted.

I didn't receive any money from 3rd party deals for the 4 years I was at the Sharks, and left at the end of 2015."

Heighington also declared in August any third-party deal he was part of was signed off on by the NRL, his manager and the Sharks.

Third-party deals are legal in the NRL, as long as they are agreed to at arm's length from the club and approved by the governing body.

The NRL are continuing their investigations into the Sharks, after new chief executive Barry Russell reported historic irregularities in his first season on the job this year.

However, it's not believed any possible punishments will have an impact on the Sharks' maiden premiership triumph in 2016.

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