The NRL has stepped in at the cash-strapped Titans…
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The NRL has taken over the ownership of the embattled Gold Coast Titans in the wake of the drug scandal that has engulfed the club.
The league’s chief executive Dave Smith confirmed the NRL’s move in a media conference on Tuesday and said the aim was to ensure the long-term survival of the cash-strapped club.
“The NRL has taken control of the club,” Smith is quoted as saying by AAP.
“This is a really, really important day for the Titans, more importantly, for the fans of the Titans and fans in the Gold Coast.
“This demonstrates a real, long-term commitment to the Gold Coast and to the Titans.
“We will solve these problems, it’s not the end of the world. We will fix these and build a club that is not only competitive, but a club to be proud of.”
It’s not the first time the NRL have intervened to save one of its clubs.
The NRL stepped in at the Newcastle Knights in 2014 to rescue the club from financial ruin.
The five players involved in the drugs scandal – Greg Bird, David Taylor, Beau Falloon, Jamie Dowling and Kalifa Faifai Loa – will not be considered for selection for the Titans’ opening match of the season against Wests Tigers on March 7.
All five players will meet with the Titans board on Friday in an attempt to argue why they should not have their contracts torn up.
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