The integrity of the NRL is under a cloud with players from several clubs being investigated for taking secret benefits or cash payments in a likely breach of salary cap rules.
The Manly Sea Eagles are suspected of breaching the salary cap via secret payments to at least one player in previous seasons, according to information gathered by NSW police and NRL officials.
But it is understood Manly are not the only club under scrutiny, with the past behaviour of several other clubs also attracting police attention.
In revelations that pose a significant challenge for the NRL and chief executive Todd Greenberg, it is understood the NSW Organised Crime Squad has gathered evidence suggesting secret salary top-up payments have been made to players from several clubs. The information has emerged during an investigation into match fixing allegations.
An NRL insider told Fairfax Media detectives have not found evidence of an organised conspiracy involving players deliberately losing games. But detectives have information about intelligence being leaked by club insiders to punters, and, hidden player payments that may breach salary cap rules.
"It is systemic," said one witness who has been interviewed by police about his own role making undisclosed player payments at several clubs.
Another businessman who has been interviewed by police told Fairfax Media on Wednesday morning that secret salary top-up payments were happening "at every club." When asked whether he had ever made any undisclosed payments to a Manly player, he responded: "You write it. I've got no comment to make."
Manly said they are not aware of allegations of salary cap breaches, and that they have recently had their 2017 mid-year salary cap audit "completed by the NRL in record time and without adjustment".
"The Club remains the benchmark in relation to both salary cap and playing roster management at all levels across the NRL, something we remain immensely proud of. This leading compliance position has been confirmed by the NRL over the past three years being the tenure of the current salary cap management team of the club."
The NRL is facing a situation similar to that in 2014, when the Australian Crime Commission, using coercive interview powers, gained information from league insiders about doping issues. That information was passed, in a redacted form, to the NRL before the start of the 2013 season, allowing the league to launch an inquiry and take action.
The NSW Police Organised Crime Squad, which would not respond to questions citing its ongoing inquiry, is continuing to gather evidence mid-way through the NRL season.
It is understood police are yet to share detailed information with the NRL, although league investigators have been separately assessing salary cap issues across multiple clubs, players and player managers since last year. Police may be unable to share information if it is gained during confidential coercive examinations, which can not be released to non-police organisations such as the NRL. It means the NRL may never have access to information held by police, but will have to run its own inquiry. Several players and league figures have privately revealed that they have been the subject of coercive examinations.
An NRL spokesman said league officials were "in regular dialogue with police on matters relating to the game".
"At this stage, we are not in possession of evidence of salary cap violations which would warrant any disciplinary action," the spokesman said. However, the governing body's integrity unit would investigate the allegations.
One police witness, a businessman, has told investigators he made undisclosed cash payments to help a small number of clubs retain valuable players. Manly was not one of these clubs. But intelligence has also been gathered about a cash handover in a car park in connection to a former Manly player. A second former Manly player is also the subject of allegations involving undisclosed player payments.
In news that will relieve the NRL, several well placed sources also told Fairfax Media that the police match fixing inquiry has failed to find evidence of organised game rigging. No person wil be charged with any serious criminal offences linked directly to game rigging, although other charges involving fraud or money laundering may still be laid.
It is also understood that police have made extensive inquiries about the leaking of inside information to certain figures, including a person with organised crime links, from at least one NRL player and a now former staff member from a NRL club. This information may have given those placing bets on NRL games an unlawful advantage. As the suspected inside information leaking and betting amounts to a breach of a less serious summary offence under NSW laws, police must lay charges within six months.
The betting activity being investigated by the NRL dates back to 2015, so charges can no longer be laid in respect of this betting. But money laundering, fraud and proceeds of crime offences have no statute of limitations.